180 REPOKT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE 



the fall with cow-stable manure and rake off in the spring, 

 and if the vine does not make a good growth the first year, it 

 better be thrown away than to occupy the ground to the 

 exclusion of a better one. 



Trimming and pruning was done in the winter and spring, 

 and he thought a part of it should be done when the sap 

 flows. The reason why grapes do not perfect themselves, hav- 

 ing many green bunches, is that too many bunches are allowed 

 — and they should be thinned out. If we do not attempt to 

 grow too many bunches we should have what we do gi'ow fully 

 ripe. 



Mr. Husted — It is in the nature of the Isabella not to per- 

 fect some of the grapes on a cluster — and Mr. Bradfield said 

 this was common with other varieties. When asked how deep 

 a trench should be dug for planting the grape, Mr. Haldane 

 replied, " seven feet "' — an answer which created some sensa- 

 tion. But planting was his hobby ; he was convinced that 

 success was in planting. He would not thank a man to set 

 more than one and a half vines in a day ! You set shallow 

 and the vine may produce a few years, but dig deep and fill 

 with turf, and the vines will last and bear for a century. He 

 should make the greatest expense of grape culture in the 

 planting. Grapes planted on deeply prepared soil would do 

 better in a dry season. He would not throw very rich soil 

 over the sod. 



Mr. Bradfield — Is not sod the richest soil you can get,- 

 anyway ? 



Mr. Haldane — It is a great deal better than manure. In 

 trimming do not be afraid to thin out. Thin out the 

 bunches; the fruit will grow larger and ripen quicker. I 

 would have the vines bear from six to eight or ten feet from 

 the ground. My experience shows that grapes grown too near 

 the ground are more liable to mildew, and that grapes grown 

 on roofs, etc., are hard to pick as we grow old. 



Mr. Fuller — Does the Isabella ripen every year ? 



