48 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



most all soils and all locations, but even here it is found that the adap- 

 tation of the variety to the soil and location is the cause of success or 

 failure. 



While then we have lands adapted to the cultivation of the cereals 

 and orchard fruits, we have also lands bordering our rivers and creeks 

 where the soil is too thin and light for successful farming or too broken 

 to render the cultiv'ation easy, but which are admirably adapted to the 

 cultivation of the grape. 



These lands are found in all parts of the State and upon almost 

 every farm, yet notwithstanding that such a condition necessarily presents 

 a great variety of soils, exposures, and climatic influences, so hardy and 

 healthful are some of the many varieties of the grape, that no exposure 

 or condition can be found thar some vine will not meet its requirements. 



The importance attached to the culture of this fruit on a large scale 

 for commercial uses has been distinctly recognized by some of our sis- 

 ter states. 



California, at the expense of the state, sent an agent to Europe to 

 investigate as to the varieties, modes of culture, soils, hardiness, etc. of 

 the grapes of that country ; the report of his mission has been long be- 

 fore the public, the results have added largely to the productive capital 

 of that country, and given her a position in this speciality not held by 

 any of her sister states. 



Missouri too has claimed high rank as a grape producing state, 

 and great stress is laid upon the fact that they have large bodies of land 

 peculiarly fitted for this culture. The State Geologist and the press 

 have dwelt particularly upon these advantages. 



From my own observations I am led to believe that Illinois, our 

 own beautiful Prairie State will eventually take high rank for her grape 

 production. The steep hillsides and rocky slopes, the beautiful bluffs 

 bordering her streams will be made valuable ; these lands, useless for 

 the ordinary purposes of agriculture, when converted into vineyards, 

 will add largely to the wealth of our common country. It is not my 

 purpose however to dwell largely upon this view of my subject but 

 rather upon that Avhich brings it nearer home to us, viz. Home Culture 

 and Home Consumption. 



Here then we have a fruit of surpassing worth, health-giving and 

 delicious — almost unknown — yet ready to add to our comforts. 



When about to plant an orchard the first inquiry is : " What apples 

 shall I plant ? " Perhaps the party has seen or heard of pears, but if 

 he has, he has heard of the blight also, and wisely resolves to let them 

 alone. If he is located where peaches are an occasional success they 

 are added to his list. Grapes ? O no, his old boy home had apples, 

 they grow themselves, somev/hat like Topsy, but grapes, they require 

 care, they must be looked after. The impression evidently is that there 

 is a mystery about grape culture, a mystery which they have no right 

 to investigate ; or if they did. they would find its culture encumbered 



