134 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



through the local societies, especially to the State Entomologist ; he could 

 learn about insects, of which he could not otherwise learn ; and the Geo- 

 logist could learn something about the outcropping of rocks. Upon the 

 whole, I think it is something of importance. 



The resolution was then adopted. 



REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE ON VINEYARD CULTURE. 



The report of E. C. Hatheway, of the Standing Committee on 

 Vineyard Culture, was then read by the Secretary, and was as follows : 



To O. B. Galusha, Secretary Illinois State Hoi'ticultural Society : 



Dear Sir — In response to your request " to write an article on Vine- 

 yard Culture," I will say that in order to speak of this subject intelli- 

 gently as regards the crop the past season, and to learn conditions of the 

 same, also to get experiences of others so as to make this report of a 

 general nature, I have addressed inquiries to a great many vineyardists in 

 the northern part of the State ; but regret to say that but few have taken 

 pains to respond to such inquiries ; therefore I have failed to learn suffi- 

 cient, I fear, to make this article of general interest. 



The winter last past, if taken for a test, has given us much to con- 

 sider in the matter of hardiness of varieties of the grape, and has thinned 

 down those claiming the merit of hardiness to a very few in number. 

 While we may not expect another winter so severe for a long time, per- 

 haps, yet the condition of the vines was, in most cases, never better to 

 enable them to withstand the severe test applied to them, than they were 

 upon approach of cold weather in the fall of 1872, especially so in conse- 

 quence of the wood being more thoroughly ripened than usual. Many 

 claim that vines had received their death blow in consequence of the 

 extreme drought the summer previous. 



In the case of very young vines, and also uncultivated vineyards, run 

 upon the plan of "wholesome neglect," no doubt this may be true to a 

 great extent ; but thus far I have found but one or two individuals, who 

 have thoroughly cultivated their vineyards, that have lost any vines, 

 except of the newer, tender sorts. 



The Concord has, in the matter of hardiness, been found to stand at 

 the head of the list, and considering its ability to stand " grief in every 

 form, is pre-eminently the "grape for the million." As to its wine-making 

 qualities, there are many other varieties much superior, but they are all 

 more or less variable in quality, and but few are reliable in the production 

 of regular crops. 



Next to the Concord the Perkins has of late claimed our attention ; 

 not so much for its fine quality of fruit as for its hardiness, and regular 

 annual production of a full crop ; which^ on account of its color, size of 

 cluster and berry, and extreme earliness, make it one of the most i^rofit- 

 able market grapes we have. Compared with the " Martha," I consider 

 the Perkins better in every respect, being earlier, larger berry, larger 



