Appendix. 155 



raised with good profit; but in this part of the State the climate is not 

 suitable for them, as foreign varieties are too much affected by mildew, 

 while our native kinds are almost free from it. About fifteen years 

 ago I picked out about thirty of the best of our native varieties of 

 grapes, such as ripen with or before the Concord. I tried them many 

 years. Some were very good and fine, but were not satisfactory in 

 every way; others failed entirely, though they were all kept in good 

 condition. Thei-e are only about six kinds that I can recommend as the 

 most satisfactory. They are healthy and productive; sell well, and 

 bring the best prices on the market. They may also be used to make 

 ■wine of. 



The Concord needs no description, as it is known by everybody. They 

 get ripe here about the first of October. The Worden is a black grape, 

 bunch and berries somewhat larger than the Concord. It is ripe about 

 ten days before the Concord. Campbell's Early; black bunches and ber- 

 ries large, of good quality, is ripe about three weeks before the Concord. 

 It keeps a long time and can be left on the vines a long time. Very 

 recommendable. The Eaton, a black grape, bunches and berries very 

 large, quality good, but too soft and the bunches too brittle for ship- 

 ping; good only for private use. Moore's Early; color black, bunch and 

 berries large, quality good, but with us here has never borne so well as 

 jthers; is ripe about three weeks before the Concord. The Niagara is 

 che best of the white grapes; bunches large and heavy; berries large 

 and sweet; it ripens about ten days before the Concord, but can be left 

 hanging on the vines till all the other grapes are gone. Moore's Dia- 

 mond, a white grape, large and of fine quality, but does not bear so 

 well as the Niagara. The Delaware has long and slender vines; bears 

 well; of amber color; bunches and berries medium to small, but very 

 sweet and delicious. All the varieties named do well here, and find a 

 ready sale in the market. I caution everyone not to plant too many 

 kinds and none that have not been fully tried. Grapes do best on hig-h 

 and open ground, and on the south and southwestern slopes of our hills,^ 

 where it is not too wet. They do not require very rich soil. The ground 

 should be plowed as deep as possible. After the ground has been 

 marked off, holes are dug about three feet in diameter, and a foot and 

 a half to two feet deep. When planting the vines, a little hill is made 

 in the center of the hole, of top soil, around which the roots are spread, 

 and the hole is filled up with top soil. Always set a stake for every 

 vine when planted. The object of planting so deep is to have the root? 

 deep under ground nearer to moisture and that they may not be touched 

 with the plow aftei'wards when plowed and cultivated. We plant in 

 rows, seven feet apai't and eight feet apart in the rows, so it takes 

 about 750 vines to an acre. The first summer, let everything grow on 

 the young vine. The next winter cut all away to one shoot, the strong- 

 est, and cut this back to about four buds. In summer, when they grow 

 up, tie the shoots to the stakes. Next winter two wires for trellis are 

 stretched, one two feet above ground, the other two feet above this. 



