212 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Manure, when used, should consist of compost a year or more old; 

 I have observed the best results following the application of a compost 

 consisting of cow manure and old sods or loam in equal parts, adding two 

 bushels air-slaked lime, one peck salt and one bushel ground bone to 

 the wagon load, thoroughly mixing and applying broadcast in spring, and 

 at once plowing in. An occasional dressing of land-plaster is beneficial, 

 as it absorbs moisture, which it retains, and during a drouth gives it 

 slowly back to the soil for the sustenance of the vine. Cob ashes are 

 very valmhle as a manure for the vineyard, and so also are tobacco stems, 

 which can generally be obtained in most large towns for a trifle ; but 

 raw or fresh manure from the stable should not be used, as I am firmlv 

 convinced that it will induce mildew and rot. 



We are quite free in our locality from a general prevalence of those 

 insects which prey upon the vine or its fruit, but we have one little fellow 

 who is a host in himself if not taken care of at the outset, and that is the 

 ''leaf-hopper.'' 



To be sure he does not make much headway on the Concord, 

 Perkins and some others which have thick and very pubescent leaves, 

 but upon Delaware and other thin-leaved varieties they soon leave their 

 marks of record if once allowed to get a foothold. 



Previous to the last two years I had a great deal of trouble with 

 this insect, but during these years have got quite rid of him by smudging 

 the vineyard with burning coal tar, on still mornings or evenings, com- 

 mencing when the first leaves are pretty well grown, and ending after the 

 fruit is nearly full grown. The vapor from the burning tar condenses on 

 the leaves and is retained there for some time, so when Mr. Hopper 

 appears he is greatly disgusted and quite discouraged by the odor which 

 greets him and he concludes to "git," which he generally does at once. 



I have had much trouble from birds, destroying fruit; but this year 

 I nailed lath to the posts in vineyard and stretched cotton twine along 

 the tops of them, and also crosswise, after which there was little trouble 

 from this source. 



Mr. Fred. Hayden, of Alton, a member of the same committee, 

 reported the following : 



Mr. President and Gentletnen of the Illinois State Horticultural Society : 



My report will touch on but few varieties, for the reason that of late 

 years I have confined myself to a few leading grapes, allowing others to 

 test the hundreds of new sorts sent out, claiming to be better or earlier 

 than our old favorites ; not that I mean to condemn them all, but I can- 

 not afford to try every new thing brought out, as I follow grape-growing 

 for profit, not from fancy; although it is my favorite fruit, aside from all 

 considerations of its profit. 



In the Alton district the past season has given us a splendid crop of 

 Concords, Ives and Catawbas, they being the only varieties grown by us 

 to any extent ; nearly all were marketed in Chicago for table grapes at 



