MICniGAK STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 413 



GRAPE CULTURE AT SOUTH HAVEK. 



On account of the width, depth, and lay of our lake and the 

 adjoining lakes, our average summer temperature is lower than 

 in any other section of our country. 



The mean summer temperature of Kelly's Island, in Lake 

 Erie, is between 72 and 73 degrees. That of the Pleasant Val- 

 ley Vine region, in New York, is higher; and the Missouri river 

 bluffs still higher; while ours is lower than these principal 

 grape regions, and near 70 degrees; hence low-tempered 

 varieties of grapes succeed best with us. 



The Vitis Bordifolia ( "Winter or Frost Grape), having the 

 lowest vital temperament, of which the Clinton is the most 

 familiar type, thrives with tlie least of care with us. The 

 marked characteristics of this class of grapes, which includes 

 Clinton, Taylor, and Alvey, arc tough skins, sour, fibrous 

 pulp, and large seeds ; desirable when compared to the fruit of 

 the wikVvine, from which they originated. 



l^ow, while our siimmers are comparatively cool, not often 

 higher than 9G degrees, our winters are proportionately warm, 

 seldom ever going below zero, at this place ; therefore the Vitis 

 JEstiralis (or Summer Grape), of which the Delaware is the 

 lowest tempered variety, though less hardy as a class, succeed 

 alfco well with us. The characteristics of this class, which 

 includes Delaware, Norton's Virginia, Cynthiana, and Herbe- 

 mont, are thin skins, sweet, juicy, but wanting in flavor. 



From these same climatic influences, to which I have pre- 

 viously alluded, to wit : mildness of winter and coolness of 

 summer, may be added uniformity of moisture, allowing us to 

 grow the earliest varieties of the Labrusca family, of which 

 the lona is the highest type. The characteristics of this class 

 are meaty structure and aromatic flavor. The Isabella, Con- 

 cord, Catawba, Diana, and lona are members of this class, all 

 more or less liable to mildew in other localities which are 

 more liable to the extremes of tempsrature and moisture. 



Another class of grapes I will mention, — crosses of these 



