56 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



conditions that is here stated are so dangerous. I have seen the Dela- 

 ware grown over manure in just this way, and under the influence of 

 one of the most powerful manures, that of bones. I do not pretend to 

 account for the facts. I wish to call on Mr. O. L. Barler for his facts 

 and experience in the culture and treatment of the grape vine. 



Mr. Barler, Alton — I shall certainly not be influenced by what I 

 hear to-night to go home and commence any systematic neglect ot my 

 vineyard — certainly not after all the care and attention I have given it 

 in the past, and the excellent returns that it has made me. What is 

 worth doing at all is worth doi?ig ivell. I am aware that of late years 

 vineyards are not always paying institutions, but how the no-culture 

 system is going to help the vineyardist does not come in my " way of 

 thinking." It strikes me that this would only be making bad worse. 

 Far better would it be, where grapes do not pay, to grub up the vines, 

 and plant corn, or other crop in which you have confidence, and that will 

 reward good culture. 



I ask myself, can it be possible, that which I hear — that neglect of 

 culture in any crop — a garden overgrown with weeds — a vineyard turned 

 to a wilderness — can in any way profit its owner, and not damage his 

 credit .'' 



I respect the opinions of these gentlemen of experience who say 

 these things, and can only put it up in this w.iy : — grape growing is not 

 their business, and they are, after all, tnistaken in this matter. The fact 

 that has been stated, that the vine will bear rough usage — if smitten on 

 one cheek it will turn the other — and under the worst circumstances, 

 bring the owner a half crop, which if found in the ^r^/i-x looks big indeed, 

 — proves nothing favoring non-culture. Why, sirs! if \ou should find 

 the heavy rich clusters that I grow upon clean land, nicely tied up on 

 their wire trellis, I say, if you should find such a crop, say ten tons to 

 the acre, in the grass and upon the grourid, — you would never cease 

 speaking of it as one of the wonders of the vegetable world. It is be- 

 cause you find your small grapes on smaller bunches (than ordinary) — 

 sweet though they may be— in so wretched a place., that you think they 

 are so many and so fine ! 



I remember when we used to gai:her our strawberries wild from the 

 woods, if perchance we were fortunate enough to find a few quarts, we 

 would tell of it, and how sweet they were ! But how mean a product 

 in size and quantity, when compared with our cultivated crops that 



