Summer Meeting. " 5^ 



between the first and second wire are carefully tied up as time permits. 

 From the last days of July to the latter part of October some fifty var- 

 ieties are sampled in succession and many friends, birds, wasps and bees 

 share in our enjoyment of God's bounteous gifts. 



BEST VARIETIES. 



This is a very ticklish question to answ^er, and as every mother 

 believes her children are the best and prettiest, so I have also a choice 

 of my own, but I do not have the least objection that other vineyardists 

 will make a different selection. Tastes are different and no law will 

 regulate them. The really best varieties indeed are of rare occurence 

 and lately I have come to the conclusion that my friend Mr. Eiehl from 

 Illinois is about correct in saying that among our 500 varieties of grapes 

 are hardly ten good ones worthy of general cultivation. I can not vouch 

 that this great vineyardist really made this assertion, as I obtained it not 

 directly but only from a friend. Nevertheless, when I recall last year's 

 visit of Mr. Riehl, scanning with an eagle eye my vineyard, containing 

 some fifty varieties, with word and looks condemning most of them, I 

 must say that I felt a little sore inwardly, but it set me a-thinking; 

 guided me to more severe judgment, and after the severest winter-killing 

 of grapes during February, 1899, I have adopted the same opinion. 



What varieties can be classed among the best grapes ? Onh- those 

 deserving extensive field culture by the thousands of vines; those having 

 a great commercial value; those producing a fine wine, at least 100 per 

 cent better than the poor wine made of the Concord; those which accom- 

 modate themselves to the widest range of climate and the greatest diver- 

 sity of soils; those being the healthiest, most vigorous, disease-resisting, 

 most productive and of the highest quality; those bearing neglect, unfa- 

 vorable weather and rough treatment better than their pet sisters only 

 suitable for the experimenter, the amateur and private gardener, where 

 extra care only will induce them to do their best and be worth the place 

 where they stand; finally, those which are of ironclad hardiness, able 

 to stand from twenty-five to thirty degrees below zero without injury to 

 buds or vines. In regard to color it must l>c black, l)ecause in the markets 



