256 STATE P03I0L0GICAL SOCIETY. 



GRAPES 



next demaud our attention, and so multitudiuons are the candidates for popu- 

 lar favor, and so rapidly do they arise to challenge the attention of the public, 

 and so suddenly do their claims become dispelled by the searching tests of 

 discriminating planters, that we are quite at a loss where to commence the ex- 

 amination, and at what point to close it. Under the pressure of these difficul- 

 ties we omit all notice of any older than those comparatively recent sorts that 

 seem not yet to have a settled reputation with the public. 



TONA 



has now been for several years in the hands of planters, and though conceded 

 to be of the highest quality, experience with it has been so very variable that 

 it must be conceded to lack some important quality essential to its highest 

 success as a market grape. A communication from our friend B. Hathaway, 

 of Cass county, Mich., published in a recent issue of the Country Gentleman, 

 so clearly expresses our views of the matter that we indulge in the following 

 extract : 



"I am strongly impressed with the idea that the intrinsic value of this 

 grape is not fully understood. That it is the best keeping native grape we 

 have, cannot, I think, be questioned. Some of the Eogers' Hybrids are very 

 good keepers, but none of them, so f^ir as I know (and I have those counted 

 the best), can compare with the lona in this regard, besides being much below it 

 in quality. That the lona is more difficult to grow than the Concord and kin- 

 dred varieties, must be conceded. That there cannot be as many pounds 

 grown on the same ground, even with the best of handling, with any certainty 

 of ripening, is also true. But I believe it is more certain than any of the 

 Kogers grapes, being less subject to mildew, where given the required condi- 

 tions, though it needs, as they do, winter protection. 



" I have been more successful with this grape than I had reason to hope, and 

 regret that I did not plant proportionally many more of this variety, even pre- 

 ferring it to the Delaware, which has done remarkably well also. 



''With all its good qualities, however, it has some drawbacks. Only the in- 

 telligent cultivator will succeed; but then his success will be all the more 

 remunerative. A vineyard of the lona will not take care of itself: it must 

 have the constant care of a vineyardist who knows its requirements. The land 

 must be strong, naturally or artificially, thoroughly drained ; must be well pre- 

 pared before planting, most land requiring to be trenched from one to two feet 

 deep, according to the nature of the soil, aspect, situation, etc. The vines, 

 when of proper age, must have a trellis instead of stakes, for the advantages of 

 thorough ventilation, and to allow them all the sunlight possible. 



"The Ionia vine has just the habit of growth most desirable, neither too 

 rampant nor too weak, though it requires considerable attention, while carry- 

 ing a crop of fruit, to secure strongly-developed canes for the next year's fruit- 

 ing. This is one of the most important points to be considered. It is also 

 necessary to shorten the bearing- wood to about half of what would be proper 

 for stronger-growing kinds, like Concord, Hartford, etc., although generally, 

 owing to its familiar habit, there is comparatively but little new wood to be 

 cut away. It requires less summer pinching than most other varieties, for the 

 same reason, but must have some attention m this regard." 



To the above we add the remark that, while we very distinctly concur iuthe 

 above, our personal experience and observation indicate decidedly that the 



