STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 43 



The following piiper. upuii tlie same subject, was read by 



T. HUBER. ILLINOIS CITY. 



Mr. Pi-psiflenf, aii<l Members of the 



lUinois State Horticultural Society: 



A paper on Grape Culture being expected from me, you will all 

 have to bear with my many shortcomings. 



With us the cro]) has been two-thirds of a full one; (piality 

 extra. 



Finished tying my vines May 1st, and plowing on the third of 

 the same month, and cultivated them twice after. 



It rained all day on the 4th of May, four hours on the 9th, heavy 

 all day the 14th. and some on the 26th of the same month. Finished 

 pinching laterals the 28th of May. It rained some the 6th and 28th 

 of June. Did the last summer pruning towards the end of July. 



Berries of No. 22 Seedling, named Worden, commenced coloring 

 July 25th; they were fully ripe August 15th. 



There were several good showers on the 14th and 15th of August, 

 and a light one September 15th. Some vineyards, in my vicinity, 

 planted from four to six years, had a full crop of Concords. Our 

 Delawares and Clintons ripened with Concords, something unusual. 



My method of pruning is varied. Our different soils and cli- 

 matic influences will make a difference necessary in this, as well as 

 in the general culture of the grape, as we become more acquainted 

 with the noble vine and its delicious fruit. 



We have had less rot and insects to injure the vine and leaf than 

 we have had the last three preceding years. 



Have not tried bagging, not having the time, and thinking it 

 will hardly pay at present prices. There is work enough in the vine- 

 yard, with but little help, without it. 



Concords brought from two to three cents, and Delaware, 

 Catawba and some of our seedlings from seven to ten cents. 



DIS(^USSION. 



Mr. Barnard — Norton is a late grape, it escapes rot, and keeps 

 well. 



Mr. Weed — In the Michigan grape region they practice bag- 

 ging, and consider it a good investment. It is not only a preventa- 

 tive of rot, but a protection against birds and insects. 



E. A. Reihl — Bagging — if not done before the spores find a 

 lodgement on the young grape — is useless to prevent rot. Put them 

 on before the grape is as large as a conimou pea. 



