190 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ture and improvement, has loujf had a special interest for me, and for 

 many years I bave been engage<l not only in growing vines of the most 

 popnhir varieties commercially, but in observing and comparing the 

 habits and characteristics of those which promised to be most valuable 

 in the various uses for which this noble fruit was given, to make glad 

 the heart of man. 



The value of the grape and the ease with which it is propagated 

 are two points not yet well understood by American farmers. No fruit 

 is more refreshing and none more healthful. No fruit except the straw- 

 berry comes into bearing as soon after planting as the grape. A steep 

 hillside maybe utilized and become the most profitable position on the 

 place — southern exposures being the best for the grape. Dry soil for 

 the grape is everywhere conceded. Any soil not thoroughly drained 

 should be deeply worked. Equallj^ as much depends on your location. 

 You might have the united experience of all grape-growers on earth, 

 and yet fail if your location is unfavorable. No one grape is suited to 

 all localities, neither is there any one locality which is suited to all 

 grapes. The Fox grapes of the North will not succeed at the South, 

 and the natives of the South will not succeed at the North. Then 

 there are many varieties that will succeed in one part of the State or 

 county, that will not succeed in another part. There are, however, 

 varieties that will succeed in the Middle and Northern states and 

 throughout the country generally, such as Wordeu, Moore's Early, 

 Concord, Brighton, Delaware, Pocklington, Niagara. Outside of this 

 list, you should plant with caution. There are many attractive features 

 in Rogers' Hybrids. Some of them are all that one could desire in 

 quality, beauty and vigor. Yet they are so variable, and so easily 

 affected by adverse circumstances, that one would be risking consider- 

 able by planting them largely in a vineyard. 



TESTING NEW GRAPES. 



People should exercise common sense in buying new varieties of 

 grapes oi other fruits. If one can afford the outlay, it is a pleasure to 

 test the new varieties as they come into the market. He is then bene- 

 fited by his experience. Until a variety has had a fair trial, no man 

 has any right to speak against it. The fact of its being new argues 

 nothing. All were new once. 



SUMMER PRUNING. 



The training of grapes exerts an important influence on the fruit 

 In some cases. The hot sun often dries and cracks the young fruit 

 until it is almost worthless. It is plain, then, that if the grape-vine 



