124 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



have to-day many bushels of grapes of full size hanghig upon 

 the vines, trying to color, which Avill be worthless. I think 

 had my soil been similar to the above, I should have had half 

 as much wood, half as full crop, which I think would have 

 matured and been gone two weeks ago, and been of the first 

 quality. 



My seedling I hope much from. It is a sure bearer, 

 perfectly hardy, and early enough to avoid frosts. My large 

 Concord grapes were obtained by selecting the most vigorous 

 canes early in the spriug, allowing only one bunch of blooms 

 to remain on each, and constantly heading in as fast as wood 

 was inclined to make. 



I think this matter of grape-growing is something one must 

 learn by experience, for it is a fact not to be denied, that we 

 are in a section of the coimtry that will produce a crop only 

 once in a Avhile, and this I am not sure should not be called a 

 chance crop. 



Statement of George W. Taylor, Peahochj. 



Although I have not achieved much success, perhaps a 

 recital of ray experience may be of some use to those who are 

 about to commence the business of grape-growing. At the 

 start, let me say to any one who expects to make the cultiva- 

 tion of the grape in Essex County a paying business, that it 

 will be a vain attempt, and will end in mortification and dis- 

 gust. 



The grape when fully ripened is truly one of the most lus- 

 cious of fruits and as such will ever be sought by the public, 

 but it is a lamentable fact that our northern home is not the 

 home of the vine. It is where the mild rays of the summer sun 

 love to linger, and the genial breezes of the tropics, with the 

 deep and warm soils incident to the "sunny south." There is 

 its home, and there will it give forth the rich harvests so 

 delightful to man. 



If we do succeed here in raising a few of inferior quality, it 

 is only by constant care and toilsome labor. A man would 

 make more money raising potatoes at fifty cents a bushel than 

 grapes at ten cents a pound, which is about as much as one 

 can obtain for first clusters we are able to get into market. 



