172 STATE HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



One thing we have learned, that is not to bank celery with earth until Septem- 

 ber 25 or October 1. We have been trying blanching with boards, but having to 

 depend on the elements for rain we were also unsuccessful; bat we have learned 

 that by having good large plants at the time we place the boards, and then nuilcb 

 in between the rows and give a good watering so as to push the plants, we can 

 grow fine White Plum or Golden Self-blanching celery of good quality, but it must 

 not lack for moisture. The late crop for winter we grow the Giant Pascal, Hart- 

 well and Kalamazoo Broad-ribbed. This is banked two or three time 8 to 10 

 inches high with earth, and put away in pits and trenches to finish blanching first 

 week in November. If to be kept late it should be kept cool with plenty of air, but 

 no light. If we wish to hasten the blanching, let in warm air when we can and 

 keep it closer. 



We also tried the new celery culture— planting 7X11 inches apart and by 

 close planting with plenty of fertilizer and water, make it grow so fast and close 

 together that it will bleach itself, but not having sufficient water supply it was 

 somewhat neglected ; and we have our doubts as to its practicability in this lati- 

 tude. 



The berry crop was a poor one throughout. Many of the new ones bearing 

 their first crop made such a poor show that we shall not comment on them. Pros- 

 pects for all kinds of fruit good up to date. Strawberries look very fine. Having 

 already taken up so much in our paper on onions and celery, we will have to omit 

 some notes on small fruits we intended giving, and will wait until we have had a 

 good crop. iJespectfully, 



H. ScHNELL, Glasgow, Mo. 



GEAPE GROWING ALONG THE MISSOURI RIVER. 



The grape crop of 1892 was a very indifierent one; the grapes, owing to suc- 

 cessive rains in the first part of the season, has caused grapes to be alFected to 

 quite an extent with black rot, with but a few exceptions to varieties; however, 

 some much more aff'ected than others, some almost an entire failure. 



Among the leading kinds that has proved the most reliable are Norton, Tves 

 and Elvira, and such are mostly grown here. Spraying the grapes to prevent black 

 rot last summer was an entire failure. Paper bag is the best protection, not only 

 for black-rot, but everything else ; however, this must be done early in the season, 

 say just before blooming time. I have bagged some at times, and such were free 

 from rot and very fine ; while I bagged some later, after blooming was over, which 

 rotted badly in the bags. This proved that the product of black-rot is produced in 

 the early part of the season, without any doubt. There are so many reports of 

 failure in spraying and paper-bagging against black-rot, which is undoubtedly due 

 to not making the application early enough in the season. If we wish to control 

 black-rot it can only be done in the early part of the season ; later it has but little 

 or no eflect ; such has been my experience. 



Hoping that the few remarks may be taken notice of, and that such may prove 

 of some benefit to grape-growers. 



Wishing to be excused for not entering in more lengthy details, as I believe ta 

 have expressed the most vital part of grape-growing. 



Jacob Rommel, Morrison, Mo. 



Mr. Helvern — We once thonght we could not raise late potatoes 

 in Arkansas; now we plant early kinds that mature in June; we dig 

 them and keep them some ten days and plant them again in July, whole 



