STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCTETV. 57 



produce from 200 to 300 bushels to the acre! I tliiiik gentlemen are 

 mistaken, honestly mibtaken. Had this idea been advanced in our Alton 

 Horticultural Society, I should have been temi)ted to meet it with a 

 sharper reply than here, because the vineyardists around Alton hww 

 better. 



Mr. Miller, Imva — I do not wish to be understood as recommeml- 

 ing growing of grapes in grass to any one. It was not my intention to 

 have a crop of grapes, in my case, and I purposely abandoned my vines, 

 I expected nothing from them ; but without my attention they grew and 

 prospered, and bore a crop that surprised me. I have stated the facts. 

 I do not know what the ultimate result may be. 



Mk. Wier — For one, I believe in growing grapes in grass for the 

 reason that it does not pay to give them cultivation; we can't get any 

 money out of our grapes. A few men who are favorably situated as to 

 soil, climate, and the market can, perhaps, grow grapes and sell them, 

 but for us there is no money in them. 



Mr. Edwards — If I had been fortunate enough years ago to have 

 had the instructions you have given here this evening, I might have had 

 grapes to eat long before I did ; but I had formed an idea that grapes 

 could not be grown without a great deal of trouble and extra care. So 

 I postponed planting the vine, until I could give it needed attention. 

 I am thankful that you have introduced this subject, and yet I believe 

 many will plant vineyards, and tend them in a careless, loose way, expect- 

 ing to reap a harvest, and will be disappointed. I had a few vines of 

 the Clinton that were left without cultivation, and for three or four years 

 thev gave us some fruit, but for the last five years they have not fruited. 

 1 am of the opinion, that the neglect system will not do to depend upon 

 for a long series of years. 



The President announced the next thing in the regular order of 

 business to be 



DISCUSSION ON STRAWBKRRIES. 



IJR. Humphrey — We have given up, pretty much, the cultivation of 

 all varieties save the Wilson and Green Prolific. 1 think the Cireen 

 Prolific bears more berries than the Wilson, and will bear one or two 

 more pickings than that variety ; the berr) is firm and ships well. 



I have one patch of Jucunda strawberry, that has borne well for 

 four years. It is on clay and gravelly soil, has good culture, and is 



