380 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



which he thinks would be beneficial even here. He thinks the process of cut- 

 ting away all the old wood, or the whole vine, down to near the ground each 

 year, allowing no increase except what the roots push out directly each season, 

 checks the healthy development of the roots and causes rot and mildew, and 

 questions whether as much fruit can be got by this method as by a constant 

 increase in the stock of the vine. He recommends constant summer pruning, 

 sufficient to remove an excessive setting of fruit, but not to remove leaves to 

 let in the sun. The Delaware has a peculiar habit of throwing out a strong 

 growth from the base of the stock, which adapts it to the system practiced b/ 

 Mr. Bidwell, as does also the Croton. There is as much necessity for removing 

 an excessive set of grapes as of peaches or apples. 



Mr. G. L. Seaver last year left several Delaware vines unpruned. They were 

 overloaded with fruit which failed to ripen, and was very small, so it was not 

 worth picking, while other vines of same variety and age which had been 

 pruned, bore a good crop of fine well-matured fruit. 



Mr. J. E. Windoes explained the system now practiced generally on the Lake 

 Erie Islands, viz. : Trellis of three wires. The bearing wood cut back each 

 year to a crown near the ground, and three canes allowed to grow to replace 

 them. The bearing canes, having been shortened somewhat, were tied to the 

 trellis, two being tied to the top wire, and then bent outwards and tied down 

 to the second wire, and the third tied upright between these. 



Some of the foregoing points were brought out and a spirited discussion 

 excited by Dr. L. C. Woodman, who, without any pretension to experience in 

 grape culture, on what he had observed of vegetation generally, and on general 

 principles, questioned whether the vine was not stinted and enfeebled by the 

 close pruning of Mr. Bidwell and others. As will be seen above, Mr. Lyon 

 advocated gradual extension. So did the undersigned. Mr. Bidwell claimed 

 that the grape vine differed from trees generally, and had power to force a new 

 growth yearly, to balance the root, and that he left the new canes longer each 

 jear. 



Mr. Hurlbut said we must not hasten conclusions, as the same rules did not 

 apply to all kinds of vegetation, and cited plantations of chestnut and hickory, 

 which were constantly, at intervals, cut down for posts and poles, and continued 

 to increase in vigor and bore nuts or young sprouts. 



The Secretary suggested rhubarb, asparagus, Canada thistles, etc. 



The President, Mr. N. Phillips, called attention to the fact that grape cuttings 

 were in demand from this section on account of their being well ripened. 



The next meeting being the annual meeting for the election of officers and 

 the transaction of other business, it was decided to have a public gathering at 

 Dyckman Hall. Addresses, and music, and fruit, and perhaps other refresh- 

 ments, may be expected. Monday evening, December 29th. The public gen- 

 erally and ladies especially are invited. 



South Haven, Dec. 29, 1873. 



The annual meeting was held at Dyckman Hall, Monday evening, December 

 29th. There were more in attendance than could be reasonably expected on 

 such a very cold stormy evening. 



Large tables were filled with beautiful fruits. 



L. H. Bailey contributed twenty-two varieties of apples ; H. E. Bidwell, about 



