36 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Mr. Clayton — It strikes me as a very singular and novel view, if 

 this is the decision to which we are hastening — that Ave are to let our 

 grape vines run wild. If these experiences related here are of any 

 value — that no culture is better tlian good culture — why, sirs ! Ave might 

 as Avell dismiss our meeting and go home. To me, sir, these isolated 

 facts are of very little value and especially as one man's experience dif- 

 fers Avith another. I think it can be shoAvn that cultivation is the thing. 

 Individual experiences must be considered in connection Avith the cir- 

 cumstances that favor results. It will not do to folloAv any one plan, 

 perhaps, rigidly and invariably, Avithout regard to time, place, and seasons. 

 The culture and pruning of the vine may be excessiAC, and then results 

 are unfavorable. 



Mr. WiER— I don't like to be brought to test upon this question. I 

 am not growing grapes Avith a vieAv to get any profit from them. We 

 cannot get any money out of the grapes or the vines — and hence we let 

 them take care of themselves. We cannot afford to put labor and ex- 

 pense upon them when they bring us no return. If it was a crop that 

 would give us money we could afford to prune and cultivate — and of 

 course in that case Ave would give them some attention. I would ask 

 Mr. Miller, of Iowa, if he knoAvs anything about this "neglect system." 

 Have you ever seen any vines groAving in grass and producing large 

 crops .' 



Mr. Miller — I have seen something of the kind. I had some vines 

 put out Avhere I was going to make a laAvn. It was my intention to cut 

 them out ; but being crowded Avith other Avork, it Avas not done, and the 

 vines grcAv in the grass — running upon the ground, and Avithout any care 

 Avhatever. It Avas not my in*:enion to have a crop of grapes, but I did 

 have a crop and the grapes ripened perfectly in the grass. They Avere 

 not quite as large as usual, but the quality Avas very fine. I presented 

 some to my neighbor, Mr. Smith, who was a good judge, and he said 

 they Avere the finest he had ever seen. Noav, these vines lay right in 

 the grass, and I think I^hall let them stay there. 



Mr. Douglass — Was it a Avet or dry season .' 



Mr. Miller — It was medium. My philosophy in reference to the 

 superior quality of the fruit is, that it lies doAvn in the grass, where there 

 is regular Avarmth. I had used these vines for a number of years for 

 propagating by layers. I was told that it injured, and even destroyed 

 vines to layer them excessively, and accordingly when the price of vines 



