FRUITS. 127 



for our county, and are so subject to mildew and disease that 

 only few should be attempted. It is a pity that such splendid 

 fruit should be hampered with a pareut stem so weak and 

 liable to disease. Of all the grapes ever grown on my 

 grounds I should prefer Rogers' seedlings, if they were earlier 

 and more hardy, particularly Nos. 3, 9, 15, 19, 22, 30, 39. 

 Persons who plant Rogers' vines should never neglect to cover 

 them in the foil, for if they are left without protection through 

 the winter they are almost sure to be killed. 



For all locations and all soils I should prefer the Concord 

 above all others, taking all its points into consideration. 

 While I know there are many that are far its superior in 

 flavor and richness of fruit, it has no rival in hardiness or pro- 

 ductiveness under all circumstances and in all localities. 



A few vines of the lona, Delaware, Hartford and Crevelling 

 should be planted, and if one has a warm, sunny nook near 

 his buildings, let him plant the Allen's Hybrids, or if he pre- 

 fers it, the Rebecca. Both are white grapes and excellent in 

 flavor. 



Of all the diseases to which the vine is subject, mildew 

 seems to be the most fatal ; vines that are attacked soon lose 

 their foliage, and the berries stop growing and never ripen, 

 but hang, an unsightly spectacle in the vineyard. Flower of 

 sulphur is the best known remedy for mildew. It is applied 

 to the parts attacked as soon as the disease makes its appear- 

 ance, and is best put on while the vines are wet with dew. 

 Some use bellows to apply it, but I think a good-sized pepper- 

 box about the best thing to use while doctoring the plant. 

 Constant care and watching is necessary, for the disease must 

 not be allowed to spread. If it is to be checked at all, one 

 must begin early to combat it. If allowed to have its course, 

 the result will be no crop of grapes for that year. 



Rose-bugs sometimes come in myriads and destroy both 

 fruit and foliage. I know of no way except to kill as many 

 as possible by hand-picking. I have tried tobacco-water, 

 whale-oil soap and lime, all to no purpose ; the bugs seem to 

 be proof against all the poisons usually adopted to destroy 

 insects. 



After twenty years of study and labor among trees and 

 plants, I would not recommend any one to set out a vineyard 



