MICHIGAN STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 167 



EARLY-BEARING. 



Nfet to the best layers for early or immediate bearing, are 

 two-years-old single-eye plants, that have been transplanted and 

 root-pruned. After these, those of the same age, not trans- 

 planted ; but for general planting, none are better than best 

 eingle-eye one-year-old. After these, the best from cuttings 

 that were root-pruned at the end of the first season. 



CHARACTER OF THE VINES. 



As success in grape culture depends very much on the 

 character as well as the quality of the vines, the best are the 

 cheapest, and can only be procured of reliable propagators, 

 (who may not know whether the stock affects the graft or not, 

 but who, realizing the fact that the health, vigor, and produc- 

 tiveness of the future vine depends on the character of the 

 parent, act accordingly). 



In 1865, several layers were taken from as many Isabella 

 vines in a neighbor's lot. The portion of the wood laid in 

 the ground was well covered in the fall with fibrous roots, and 

 to all appearance the layers were A 1. They were carefully 

 planted and grew vigorously, but not one of them have yet 

 produced a good bunch of grapes. Their parents had been 

 utterly neglected, and perhaps their grandparents ; if so, how 

 long will it take their offspring to recuperate ? Will some 

 one answer ? 



Other things being equal, it will be best to buy of propaga- 

 tors at home, patronizing those who have acquired a reputation, 

 but avoid as a rule, vine and fruit-tree peddlers, who professedly 

 represent eastern nurseries, by procuring at a very low price 

 their refuse plants and seedling fruit trees, deceitfully labeling 

 them to correspond with the varieties they had previously sold. 



Mistakes as to varieties will sometimes occur, and are excus- 

 able, but what excuse is there for a person selling a dozen 

 vines, marking three Delaware, three Diana, two Rebecca, two 

 Concord, and two Clinton, when he knew he has nothing but 

 Clintons in his nursery ; or for selling two hundred early and 



