308 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. 



Grajjes. 



Among the grapes that have been scattered broadcast over the hind, the Con- 

 cord stands A No. 1, and fully meets the expectation of all ^Yho cultivate it. 

 Get that and you have a standard grape that you can rely upon. There are 

 other grapes that are not to be overlooked in making your selection. The Del- 

 aware is a very choice market grape, and is sought after more than any other; 

 ■clusters small and compact, color reddish purple, sweet and luscious ; get it by 

 all means. That and the Concord ripen about the same time. For earliness 

 the Eumelan stands at the head ; ripens about the 25th of August, and is a 

 very fine early grape. The Martha is what is termed a white grape, with a 

 greenish tinge, and ripens in this climate about the first of September; a very 

 sweet, early, choice variety. 



But the grape that is destined to secure the attention of the horticulturists of 

 this and other States, is known as the Owosso grape. This, undoubtedly, is a 

 chance seedling. We are forced to this conclusion from the fact that a fac 

 ■simile of the grape cannot be found, although diligently sought after. This 

 grape is now being propagated by Mr. Charles F. Goodhue, of this city. The 

 Owosso grape has a bluish tinge, clusters large, well shouldered and compact, 

 being very large sized and sweet. It has been supposed by some that this grape 

 resembles the Salem ; perhaps in flavor and size it might be said to resemble 

 that grape, but not in any other respect. The Owosso grape is a very thrifty 

 grower, never fails to yield an abundant crop, and will stand the winters of this 

 cliinate as well as the Concord. The Salem with us has the opposite of all these 

 good qualities. From our knowledge of this variety we believe it is destined to 

 stand at the head of the list of choice grapes. Mr. Goodhue, Avho has the con- 

 trol of this grape, is a youug gentleman of sterling integrity now engaged in 

 this city as a horticulturist and florist. I understand that he has not been able 

 to supply the demand, but hopes another season to answer all orders promptly. 

 In addition to the good qualities of this grape already mentioned, it is a non- 

 sprouter, or free from suckers, and a very late keeper, specimens of the same 

 having been kept as late as January 15th ; when opened they were as fresh and 

 plump as when taken from the vines. This grape ripens a week or ten days 

 earlier than the Concord. 



TUESDAY. 



The forenoon session was opened with prayer by Eev. G. M. Reynolds and 

 singing by the choir. 



Dr. Miles, of Lansing, gave a highly interesting address on ''The External 

 Forms of Animals as Indicative of Internal Qualities." For an abstract of the 

 Dr.'s remarks on this subject see record of Lansing Institute. 



Mr. Abel Beers followed with some very sensible extempore remarks relative 

 to water for animals, arguing that it is just as necessary to have pure water for 

 dumb animals as for mankind. He deprecated impure Avater from swam^^s, etc., 

 as just as detrimental to dumb beasts as to man. He Avould prefer a farm with- 

 out a bit of water above ground if of swamp drainage. His animals that drink 



