THE SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 303 



In the fall, after a hard frost, cut these two canes back to within tliree to 

 four feet, and they may be allowed to fruit a little the next year, but should 

 they set too much, should be thinned off. This year I let from three to four 

 canes grow from near the ground, and rub off all their sprouts. In the fall cut 

 oflF the two canes that grew the year before, close down to the ones grown this 

 year. By this time the vines are ready to bear quite a crop, and a trellis 

 should be prepared for them, which will give much better satisfaction than if 

 tied to stakes. 



The next spring allow from four to six canes to grow, always from near the 

 ground. In the fall cut off those that have borne this year in the same manner 

 as directed the year before. At this stage the vine is in full bearing, and the 

 same process is pursued every year, after allowing from four to six new canes 

 to grow, and cutting out all those fruiting the present year. This is called the 

 renewal svstem. I have practiced it for fifteen years. There are more vine- 

 yards in this vicinity pruned on the spur system, but all seeing my grapes this 

 season, and testing their quality, pronounced them superior to any they ever 

 saw. Never summer prune, no matter who directs it. Just as well tell you to 

 shut oflf part of your lungs. 



My ground is a sandy loam, prepared as I would for corn ] would not produce 

 over'thirty bushels of corn when grapes were planted. Have never put on any 

 manure, until this year I spread over the vineyard ashes and salt mixed, one- 

 third salt to two-thirds ashes, about thirty bushels to the acre. 



BAGGING GRAPES. 



K. A. "Waterberry, from experience in bagging more than 3,000 clusters of 

 grapes, compiles the following advantages which appear in the Eural New 

 Yorker : 



1. The sacks retarded the ripening of the fruit slightly. 



2. A variety sacked early, in several instances ripened earlier than the same 

 variety inclosed later. 



3. The color, size, bloom, and quality of most varieties were improved by the 

 operation. 



4. They were kept from cracking, cooking, and decaying, and protected from 

 the attacks of the birds, wasps, ants, and bees, and, I may add, from the bugs, 

 when all the clusters upon a vine were done up. 



5. The grapes were protected from frosts ; some late clusters ripened up fully 

 after the leaves had partly fallen. 



G. I kept some clusters upon the vines in prime condition until November, 

 even through a temperature which formed ice upon water. 



7. I found by experience that I could pin the bags on much faster than I 

 could tie them. 



8. After singling out the cluster I carefully slipped the sack on with both 

 hands, folded the left corner over the left forefinger, held it between said finger 

 and left thumb, then folded the right corner and held it by the same finger 

 vice, and pinned, being careful to fold corners close up to the fruit stems to 

 keep out little tourists. 



9. Before separating the sacks from their packages, while firmly packed 

 together and somewhat stiff, with a sharp knife I cut a little groove across the 



