84 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



REPORT ON GRAPE CULTURE— (Continued.) 



Mr. E. C. Hatheway, of Ottawa, from the Committee on Grape 

 Culture, not being present had sent in the following paper, which was 

 read by the Secretary : 



So far as this district is concerned, in general the past season has 

 been one comparatively poor, and to a great extent profitless, in the mat- 

 ter of grape growing, the cause of which being the poor condition of the 

 vines consequent upon debility, arising from excessive drought in summer 

 of 1874, and the extreme cold of the following winter. 



To these facts we can now add also the indisputable one of the pres- 

 ence of the root-louse or Phylloxera, the work of which can be clearly 

 traced in most localities, even on some of our most hardy vines. The 

 Concord, for instance, which has been considered quite proof against its 

 attacks, the past season has in many instances shown itself to be badly 

 affected ; but this is probably due in a measure to the debilitated condi- 

 tion of the vines, for reasons before mentioned. 



I have in many places in this district dug up the roots of many 

 varieties, and but very few of them seem to be quite free from the partly 

 dead and knotty condition, resulting from the work of the root-louse. I 

 may mention the fact that the vines least affected, so far as I examined, 

 were the Perkins and Concord, while the worst were Delaware and 

 Clinton. Of course, with a kw good seasons, these vines that show any 

 reasonable amount of vitality may recuperate, but wherever the present 

 year's growth has not been at least three feet I have recommended, and 

 have also followed the same course myself, of digging up entirely those 

 infected vines, and resetting with good, strong two-year olds, from the 

 nursery. In which case I throw the earth out sufficient to make a 

 large hole, which is then filled with good, fresh soil taken from other 

 localities than the vineyard, in which the young vine is placed and the 

 hole is filled. 



I think this plan of resetting in case of injury to vines from almost 

 any cause the better course to pursue, as a vigorous two-year old will 

 generally be in a condition to bear fruit as soon, or sooner than an old 

 one left to recuperate, no matter how good the treatment, with the 

 advantage also of having a younger and absolutely perfect and healthy 

 stock for a base. 



As a general rule the grape crops in this district have been much 

 below the average in quantity as well as quality, in consequence of which 

 the price for good fruit has been higher than for many years. But little 

 wine being made, so far as my knowledge extends, will leave a better 

 chance for a realization of higher prices for wines held from the vintages 

 of previous years. 



The low price of grapes for several seasons past, as well also the wine 

 product therefrom, has led a very large percentage of our grape growers 

 to abandon the cultivation of their vineyards. The consequence has 



