MICHIGAN STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 163 



do much — all, in fact — to prevent this, by insisting that none 

 but old, reliable varieties should be ])lanted, and warring 

 against all others, especially the much advertised kinds. I 

 came near being led astray by the high-sounded praises of an 

 advertised sort. But, thanks to its inferior appearance, and 

 the high price asked for a quantity offered for sale, I escaped 

 the harrowing aggravation which would surely have followed 

 an investment in them. 



"Without claiming to be authority, I unhesitatingly assert 

 that the Concord, Delaware, and Clinton are the only varieties 

 that should be recommended for general cultivation in this 

 latitude. I am willing to risk any amount of discussion or 

 criticism on the above assertion, well knowing that it will give 

 rise to no little of both. Not that I would discard all others 

 as worthless; on the contrary, for the sake of variety, as well 

 as to secure some of the early ripening sorts, I would that 

 every yard contained one or more of all the approved kinds. 

 But we are speaking now for the masses who desire to possess 

 themselves of the luxury of this delicious fruit, and who want 

 those kinds that will pay, with the care that the ordinary cul- 

 tivator is willing to give them. For the benefit of such, I 

 would respectfully ask this society that it make all the dif- 

 ferent varieties a subject of general discussion, and after a 

 thorough digest, vote on the question, viz : What three varie- 

 ties of grapes are hest for general cultivation ? The standard 

 of excellence to embrace the following requisites: 1st — Hard- 

 iness; 2d — Quality; 3d — Productiveness. 



"Open the door to success by giving the people a knowledge 

 of what to plant, and all will be rewarded in the rich harvest 

 of substantial blessings that will continue to delight and 

 benefit." 



