52 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



when the apple was so entirely free from insect depredators that it could 

 be safely eaten at any time without fear of disturbing them ; but it is 

 not so now ; the Codling Moth has found an abiding place there, and 

 you who expect good, sound, marketable, paying crops of apples must 

 not longer be content to let them grow themselves, but must exterminate 

 that pest and all others which prey upon your apples. 



So of the grape, there are some insects which you will need to 

 look after to insure fair crops. You need not feel alarmed nor discour- 

 aged because of these insects; a resolution to succeed, a little watchful 

 care will richly repay all outlay of time and labor while the education 

 afforded in this way will extend until your entire crop will be benefited 

 by it ; for the truth exists notwithstanding it has been so long buried 

 under the crust of ignorance, that all your crops have their especial in- 

 sect enemies, and as you extend cultivation either of the cereals or fruits, 

 you afford food and nourishment to your enemies. 



Every source of enjoyment, every comfort or luxury is but a means 

 when rightly used and appreciated, by Avhich home is made pleasant and 

 attractive. 



Our homes are in this respect too much neglected. Let us strive 

 then to make them lovely and beautiful too look upon ; let us surround 

 them with the fruits in their season, with flowers and shrubs that in 

 their loveliness and usefulness shadow forth God's munificence, love, 

 and bounty. Let us add the grape also both for the beauty of its foli- 

 age and its rich clusters of fruit. Let us study its habits and wants and 

 in so doing educate ourselves for greater usefulness. 



Let us above all teach our children to take an interest in all these; 

 so that in after years they shall remember with pleasure the place and 

 the associations which surrounded them in their youth. 



DISCUSSION ON GRAPES. 



Mr. Wier — Mr. F reside/if — I understand you to say, that in the 

 growing of Grapes, the better the preparation of the soil the better the 

 result. I think I have some facts upon this point. I know a man who 

 had read in some of our books that he must trench the ground two or 

 three feet deep, and add half as much manure as soil if he would suc- 

 ceed in growing grapes. 



Accordingly he set to work and trenched a piece of ground, two 

 rods wide by sixteen rods long, and planted Catawba vines. After fill- 

 ing up his trenched ground, he found that he had one vine left ; this his 

 wife claimed, and she wanted him to plant it near the house, for the 

 benefit of its shade. He did so — planting it in the sand without ma- 

 nure; and now for the result. The vines upon the trenched land did not 

 thrive, and finally gclunJly died, while the vine near the house grew, 



