PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 131 



METHODS OF KEEPING. 



(5.) " Most successful method of keeping grapes, the best varieties for 

 the purpose, and how long may such varieties be kept?" 



Hard questions. I have never used ice; have kept grapes fairly well 

 with dry, cool air, in a building made for the purpose, mostly above 

 ground, but running into a hillside at one end. They are packed in bas- 

 kets or boxes of all sizes, with layers of leaves between the layers of 

 grapes, where more than eight or ten pounds are together. Of course a 

 uniform size would be better. The best varieties are Rogers' hybrids, 

 Agawam, Salem, and Lindley, Vergennes, Ulster and Mills. These keep 

 with little loss until the holidays. The Mills I have kept until March. 

 The Catawba should be counted in where it will mature. 



I have been on the lookout for the ideal long-keeping grape for some 

 time, but have not yet found it. 



GIRDLING — SPRAYING. 



(6.) "Ringing grapevines to secure increased size of the fruit — its 

 effect upon the vine, also upon the quality of the fruit; its advantages if 



I think it has no special effect upon the vine, as it is cut off at pruning 

 time, unless a large portion of the canes on one vine were girdled. Then 

 it might be injurious. The fruit is reduced in quality, most decidedly. It 

 hastens the maturity of the fruit a week or more, and increases the size of 

 some varieties. This might be of advantage in northern latitudes and also 

 for the purpose of display at early fairs, but it would seem unjust for such 

 fruit to compete with that matured naturally. 



(7.) "Spraying — material used, when applied, for what purpose, and 

 the results to be anticipated." 



I have been troubled very little with rot, but have used the Bordeaux 

 mixture in connection with Paris green early in the season to prevent rot 

 and mildew, and also to destroy the numerous insect pests that eat the 

 foliage and sting the fruit. I have used the ammoniacal solution later in 

 the season, for mildew, and in both cases with good results. 



MR. LYON'S ideas OF KEEPING GRAPES. 



Mr. Lyon, speaking of his exhibit of grapes, regretted that the quality 

 of the show was not better; but the demand upon him for specimens for 

 exhibit, and for other purposes, had been so great that the best were gone 

 when he went to get a supply for this occasion. He spoke of the great 

 need of growing better varieties for the family supply, and for prolonging 

 the season of this delicious fruit. lona is one of the most desirable of 

 the native varieties, for keeping, and in other ways, except as to pro- 

 ductiveness and strength of plant, but these defects may be overcome. 

 Delaware may be kept till March, in a dry cellar. Uhlan is early, but 

 keeps as well as Delaware. Amenia is large, of fine quality, and grows 

 vigorously but mildews. Merrimac, Agawam, and Barry are also good 



