1884.] THE farmer's small-fruit garden. 55 



found mildew near the surface on my vines. Of course, if we 

 trim our vines any considerable distance from the ground, we 

 will get less radiation from the surface ; but if we can avoid 

 mildew, that will be an important element in the raising of 

 good crops. 



Mr. Blot. That was the reason I asked the question. 

 Through Burgundy, the middle and south of France, Italy, 

 the Ehenish provinces, and Germany, there is comparatively 

 no dew at the time the grape commences to turn ; but in this 

 climate we generally have very heavy dews at that season. It 

 is my impression that dew has something to do with mildew, 

 and, by trimming our grape-vines up higher, I think we should 

 avoid the effect of mildew, to some extent at least. 



Mr. Williams. That is the advantage of California. They 

 can pick their grapes from the vines and throw them upon 

 the ground, and remove them when they please. Apropos of 

 this subject, I had a letter from a friend in Burlington county, 

 N. J., who practiced the European method of short pruning, 

 who has always been successful in taking the prizes at the 

 exhibitions. I don't think we can do it. This last season 

 has been the worst that I have ever experienced in my life, 

 for grape-growing. So that it will not do to lay down general 

 rules. We have had heavy dews and we have had very cold 

 nights — the thermometer down to 50 or 56 every night. 



Mr. Augur. I would like to ask Mr. Williams, from New 

 Jersey, if he has noticed any difference in regard to the rot 

 and mildew between those vines which were partially shel- 

 tered and those which stood in the open ground. 



Mr. Williams. My vines are all in the same condition, as 

 near as maybe. I have adopted the Kniffen system of prun- 

 ing, because it is the simplest I have known of, and I cannot 

 say that I have found any difference with the rot. I think it 

 has appeared more on the lower arms, as a general thing, 

 than on the others. I know that when I was a boy I could 

 grow Isabella grapes as good as anybody ever wished to put 

 in his mouth, but I have not been able to do it of late years. 



