264 STATE rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Adjoining the above is the six ticrc vineyavd entered by John W. Reisig, 

 largely Concord, but with the rare addition for a Michigan vineyard, of 1,200 

 Norton's Virginia, it being, perhaps, the only location wliere that variety has 

 been known to succeed so perfectly in Michigan, and even tliere it has not 

 except on this particular spot we were informed. It is grown for the production 

 of an extra choice l)rand of wine. But the bright hue of the ribbons worn by 

 vour committee, or perhaps might, could, or shouhl have been worn, forbid the 

 presentation of this ruby product ir. too high colors, or even a fair test and 

 verdict upon the same. 'JMie menaces of the Red Ribbons threaten to come doivn 

 on all who dare speak a word for the juice of the grape. It must not he so 

 much as mentioned, or called pomological, or in any way connected with the 

 objects of a pomological society. The must scale and saccharometer must be 

 left to rust in unused cellars, the very grape aroma becomes almost a stench in 

 the nostrils of the fastidious, the "true bouquet" must waste its sweetness on 

 the air, unprized and untested. 



The vineyard to which w'as awarded the premium offered by the Michigan 

 Pomological Society for the year 1877, is the one entered by Mr. Chas. Toll of 

 Monroe, consisting of four and a half acres, nearly all Concords, and produc- 

 ing a crop of 20,000 pounds per annum of grapes, such as are found only at 

 Monroe and vicinity, perhaps in all the State of Michigan. This vineyard is 

 ten vears old, and consequently just in its fulle.-t prime and vigor. The vines 

 are set at a distance of 9x9 feet, not overcrowded ; are trained on a thoroughly 

 substantial wire trellis, in perfect order, and manner faultless ; the soil a strong 

 rich clay loam, well tiled two and a half feet deep, as closely as every twenty 

 feet. TMic pruning is done in February, cutting to two short arms only one 

 foot long, and these cut oil" once in a few years. Four young canes are 

 grown from those and trained for fruiting, and a little summer pruning is 

 given, and clean thorough culture; and although })hylloxera has existed there 

 these many years, yet under these favorable circumstances, and this fostering 

 management, these vines are enabled to endure tlieir most persistent and 

 unyielding attacks with almost entire immunity from harm. But were the 

 superb vineyards of Monroe allowed to sulTer from negligent culture, lack of 

 drainage, or any damaging treatment, allowing any falling off in vigor, then 

 the injurious effects of these pests would be immediately apparent; perhaps 

 no variety of grape is entirely exempt, none less so than the Clinton and the 

 indigenous wild grapes. 



At Monroe and vicinity the grape is so extensively grown as to have become 

 a principal industry. Yet the quantity grown is so great that their vintage, 

 though of unrivalled quality, is sold to the trade at three to five cents a pound. 

 But the yield is so enormous as to bring in some cases $>2o0.00 to the acre at 

 these low prices. 



TlIK PREMIUM CHERRY ORCHARD. 



Your committee on the elierry orchards entered for premium in 1877, 

 respectfully report as follows : In the classification for this year there was but 

 one premium offered for cherries in this division. Almost at the very outset 

 of our lat)ors we encountered that famous cherry orchard of ^Ir. (teo. Par- 

 melee of Old Mission, Grand Traverse county, which all competitors will find 

 so very hard to get away with, and need not be at all surprised if they get left 

 when Mr. Parmelee has entered in competition. This orchard consists of only 

 200 cherry trees, in full bearing, and is not sejiarated by even a fence from his 

 other orchards, of 11.3 acres of miscellaneous fruits in one body. It comprises 



