216 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ALTON-SOUTHERN 



Oa the other side: the skins of grapes grown in bags are very 

 tender; the fruit has to be handled with the greatest care to prevent 

 l)reaking. If the bags are not put on as soon as the bunch is 

 formed, and bagging is put off until rot makes its appearance, I do 

 not think it advisable to bag at all; for under such circumstances 

 rot will be worse in the bags than out of them. 



Among the newer varieties that have come under my notice I 

 find the Early Victor very productive, free from rot, bunch and 

 berries medium to large, vine a little tender, needs to be trimmed 

 and laid down in the fall; one can make no mistake in planting 

 this grape largely. 



Vergennes rots very badly; needs to be bagged and is worth the 

 trouble. 



Marsala enormously productive, but not of the highest quality; 

 good enough for those that eat Ives, and say that they like them. 



Sigler, a little foxy, but of fine appearance. 



Etta has not rotted; it is larger, better and more profitable than 

 its parent, Elvira. 



Moore's Early is being largely planted; it is ten days earlier and 

 does not rot as bad as the Concord; it is not as strong a grower, has 

 the fault of growing too compactly and does not hang well on the 

 bunch after being picked a few days. 



Empire State has not fruited yet; vine not healthy; has mil- 

 dewed badly during the past season. 



The much advertised Niagara is not free from rot. I do not 

 think it will succeed where rot is prevalent; it is productive, a graft 

 set in the spring of 1885 had twenty-eight bunches on it. 



Noah I will discard as unprofitable; it comes too late, drops 

 from the bunch and mildews. 



Jefferson and Hays have not yet fruited, the vines, however, 

 have made a vigorous growth. 



In my opinion the Jewel will create a revolution among early 

 grapes. It is the earliest grape to ripen, will keep in good condition 

 on the vine longer than any other, showing it to be a good shipping 

 grape; in ciuality it equals the Delaware; color, black, bunch and 

 berry medium to above medium; the vine has come through the last 

 two cold winters entirely uninjured without protection, is entirely 

 free from rot and mildew, and has not yet developed a weak point. 

 This grape will not be on the market until the fall of '87. 



If I were planting a vineyard I would plant, for early, Moore's 

 Early and Early Victor; for late, Worden. This is for market; for 

 family I would add Etta and Jefferson. 



' "WHAT IS THE PROSPECT OF THE SOUTHEllJ^ ILLINOIS 



FRUIT-GROWER?" 



The following paper from Mr. Jackson opened the discussion of 

 this subject. 



