MICHIGAK STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 177 



HOW SMITH RAISED GRAPES. 



About five years ago, amoug those who joined in a club to 

 procure Grant's seedlings and other vines, was a man we will 

 call Smith. This Smith got a half dozen extra vines, had a 

 border made on the side of his dwelling, and employed a friend 

 to do the planting. This friend gave him instructions relative 

 to pinching, pruning, etc., and knowing Smith was very fond 

 of grapes, and quite energetic, had no doubt of the result. 



The next season, when other vines procured at the same 

 time were ripening their first crop, the planter called to see 

 Smith's. Smith very reluctantly led the way to the side of 

 the house where the border was, and began kicking the weeds 

 and grass in search of something. Presently he looked up 

 and very innocently asked: "Was it not somewhere about 

 here they were planted ?" It is needless to add, Smith did not 

 get a supply of grapes in two years from planting, nor has he 

 to this day, and never will until he gives as much care to a 

 grape vine as to a hill of corn. He can do almost anything 

 else, but he can't grow grapes. 



" Jones " planted some at the same time, but for the same 

 reason, there is not the vestige of a vine left to show where he 

 planted them. 



THE BEST VARIETIES. 



It strikes me that in recommending varieties of any fruit 

 for cultivation, we should give the facts on which we base our 

 recommendation. The Society can then collate those facts, 

 and advise the culture of those varieties best suited for difier- 

 ent soils and localities. In view of this I submit the following : 



First. Hardiness. The best varieties of grapes will do 

 better if protected in winter. lona, Delaware, Catawba, and 

 Concord vines, not protected, have never born half as much 

 fruit in four years as those of the same variety laid down every 

 Avinter. 



Second. Productiveness. By this, I mean the vine that 

 most uniformly sets and perfects its quota of bunches, whether 

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