200 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



well drained and rather dry soil would be favorable to success. 

 For a single variety to raise for the market we have found 

 nothing to equal the Concord, though it is not a fruit of the 

 highest quality. • 



Grapes require but little care and may be grown in the open 

 field like hops, where nearly all the work of keeping the ground 

 clean can be done by horse power. We have had uniformly 

 good success in producing and ripening a crop, and regard 

 grapes as more certain than most of the fruit crops. 



We do not believe in the excessive pruning of our native 

 rampant growers, that some have advocated. Those who will 

 take the trouble to experiment in this direction will scon become 

 satisfied that it is better to leave more wood. The demand for 

 this fruit is increasing, and immense quantities are yearly placed 

 in our markets from the West, so that were we not to raise a 

 pound there would still be a good supply. Growers here have 

 one advantage over their more distant neighbors, that of saving 

 freight and possibly a commission. We still advise all who have 

 a square rod of land to raise a few grapes for home consumption, 

 and those who have choice locations peculiarly well adapted to 

 this fruit, to plant largely of the Concord for the market. 



We now come to speak of strawberries, one of the most profit- 

 able fruits grown. ' It may be safely said that the market is 

 never glutted with good strawberries and probably never will be. 

 They are such a universal favorite with all that they are all con- 

 sumed, and at prices that afford a handsome margin of profit to 

 the grower. This fruit requires a rich soil, plenty of manure 

 and the best culture to yield the best results. It should be the 

 object of every fruit raiser to produce superior fruit. Such will 

 always find a ready sale at good prices. The soil should never 

 be a very dry one, while a wet soil should be even more care- 

 fully avoided. The location should be such that no water will 

 stand upon the bed during the winter, for it is almost sure to 

 kill out the plants. Plants should be set in April or early in 

 May; the earlier the. better after the ground is in good con- 

 dition. They may be grown in hills with good results, but we 

 much prefer for a general crop to have them in beds. The plan 

 adopted by our friends in Concord, which partakes of both hill 

 and bed culture, is no doubt a good one. Some varieties make too 



