144 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



pruning, has been found so nearly correct in the management of our nimj^ant 

 growing, hardy grapes of the north as to be universally adopted by the most 

 successful yintners in the northern States. The pruning and cultivation at this 

 place was not, perhaps, as systematic and complete as that practiced among 

 the vineries of Monroe ; still, it must be acknowledged that the fruit for qual- 

 ity, and quantity as well, was fully equal this season to the best found at that 

 place. The vines were trellised to posts, set eight feet apart, using wooden 

 slats. It would be better to use wire, as the less number of posts required 

 would make up for the extra cost of wire. They were also trained rather too 

 low ; another line of wire or slats sixteen to twenty inches above would be far 

 better. This Concord vineyard was bearing an average of twenty pounds to 

 the vine — much too heavy a crop to be often repeated. The Delawares were 

 planted three years, and tied to stakes which were much too small and too 

 slightly driven, as many of them were found borne to the ground under the 

 weight of vine and fruit. This vineyard also ranked very high, and came the 

 nearest in point of perfection of fruit to the Messrs. Chilson of Battle Creek 

 of any examined, and had it been one year older, would have been a formidable 

 competitor. The show of fruit, for size of bunch and berry, was nearly if not 

 quite equal. 



THE GRAND TRAVERSE DISTRICT. 



A week's rest and some attention to business at home, and we are on the 

 road to the Traverse region. Arrived at Traverse City at 7 o'clock P. M., after 

 a ride of twelve hours over the G. R. & I. R. E. Only two members of the 

 committee. Sleeper and Adams, were found able to make this trip. Secretary 

 Thompson joined us at Grand Eapids and accompanied us throughout. We 

 ■were met at the depot by many of the people of that interesting locality, and 

 taken in charge and hospitably entertained by the Hon. Perry Hannah, of the 

 enterprising firm of Hannah & Lay. Our first work was among the orchards 

 and gardens of Old Mission, on the Peninsula between the east and west arms 

 of Traverse Bay, and twenty miles distant. An early start, in company with 

 Prof. Tracy and Mr. Wm. Marshall of Old Mission, by the wagon road, which 

 led us through an interesting and picturesque country, with many of the finest 

 landscape views constantly in sight, we brought up at the Tracy farm fully 

 prepared to do justice to the bountiful board spread for our use by the accom- 

 plished lady of the lithesome Professor. Secretary Thompson had arrived in 

 advance by boat at Old Mission. We joined him at Mr. Parmelee's in the 

 afternoon. In this vicinity there were eight apple orchards, one pear, two 

 plum, two cherry, and one plat of raspberries entered for our inspection. The 

 plat of raspberries entered by Geo. Parmelee were first examined ; it contained 

 seven acres, all of one variety, the Philadelphia. They showed great care in 

 planting and after culture. They were in hills 4x6 feet apart, and bore unmis- 

 takable evidence of having yielded an enormous crop. Many were not gathered 

 for want of preparation to handle such an unexpected crop. Too much of a 

 good thing, friend Parmelee. A rampant growth of canes betokens a crop 

 prospectively greater even than that of the present season, and the owner will 

 study his interests best by timely preparation for their disposal. 



Our next work was an apple orchard, planted two years, all Golden Rnsset, 

 and twenty acres in extent. This variety attains a perfection in this locality 

 unsurpassed in any other section visited; hardly a missing tree was found in 

 the whole twenty acres. The ground Avas cultivated in corn the first year and 



