GRAND EIVER VALLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 529 



one hundred bunches of grapes from every eight feet of a row thus planted, 

 and double that quantity next season, and any person that can raise corn or 

 cabbage, squashes or cucumbers, can thus raise grapes. 



The foregoing suggestions are for the benefit of those wlio love grapes, but 

 have never raised any, and are made with the view of summer pruning and 

 laying down in winter. Summer pruning does not consist in removing the 

 leaves as leaves, but in removing every superfluous shoot, and in repeatedly 

 pinching or cutting the lateral and leaving canes. Grapes can be perfected 

 without summer pruning, but the assertion is ventured that one-third more 

 grapes can be perfected in a season in a given space with summer pruning than 

 without it. 



The thermometer having this winter indicated degrees of cold ranging from 

 30 to 40 degrees below zero, we are again admonished that winter protection 

 is our only security. With this security, the grape is a more certain crop than 

 any other, and on a small lot from two to four times as many pounds of grapes 

 can be raised as of any other fruit. 



If only one dollar can be expended for vines, get two Hartfords, one Dela- 

 ware, and two Concords. If two dollars, add one Delaware, two lonas, and. 

 two Concords. If five dollars, for variety, one Allen, one Martha, one Merri- 

 mac, one Salem, one Adirondac, one Eumelan, two Hartford, two Diana, three 

 Delaware, three lona, and four Concord. 



As this short paper is already too long, we must defer remarks on better 

 systems for the amateur, and those with large lots and deep pockets; also as to 

 "what grapes to raise for wine, in connection with the temperance cause. 



THE FIRST ANNUAL FAIR 



or show of fruits and flowers was held in connection with Kent County Agri- 

 cultural Society, on its grounds, on the 2Sth, 29th, and 30th of September, 

 and 1st, 2d, and 3d of October, 1874. 



The exhibition was a complete success, both as to quantity and quality of 

 fruits and flowers on exhibition, and financially. Premiums were offered to 

 the amount of about $500. General satisfaction to all parties. 



The officers of the fair were: C. N. Merriman, superintendent of pomolog- 

 ical, assisted by Asa W. Slayton, of Saranac, in the fruit department, and Thos. 

 Wilde, of Berlin, in the flower department. 



OFFICERS OP THE SOCIETY FOR 1ST5. 



President — E. Brad field, of Ada. 



Vice-President — C. J. Dietrich, of Grand Kapids. 



Treasurer — S. L. Fuller, of Grand Rapids. 



Secretary — C. W. L. Dietrich, of Grand Rapids. 



Executive Board— ^. C. Merriman, John SutLle, Wm. Rowe, and Henry Holt, 

 and ex officio, the President, E. Bradfiefd, the Secretary, C. W. L. Dietrich, 

 the Treasurer, S. L. Fuller. 

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