SUMMER MEETING. 71 



era, but bore no fruit ; some died ; others lingered along and 

 never made wood strong enough to bear fruit, but a few have sur- 

 vived and are now showing well. One in particular is a most vigorous 

 grower and profuse bearer of bunches and berry above medium and 

 of a quality to my taste excelled by none. As they had no names, but 

 went by numbers, 1 named this one Raby, on account of its color. 



And last, bnt by no means least, I come to the Columbian Impe- 

 rial, whose picture almost startles one. I went in on this pretty heavy, 

 having confidence in the testimonials. Sold a few to others, but 

 planted about $15 worth of the vines myself. Last season I was dis- 

 appointed with it, but this year it promises better, but by no no means 

 up to my expectations. The restrictions may be taken off some, when 

 it will be more extensively tried. Men don't like to pay $2.50 for a 

 vine and pledge themselves not to propagate, sell or give away any 

 wood. The trimmings of my ten vines that I threw away would be 

 worth $100, according to the usual price of wood, with that of a vine 

 of the same sort. The berries on the small bunches I had last year 

 were the largest I ever saw of any native grape, except the old Char- 

 ter Oak, which was utterly worthless. 



As to a general description of all these grapes, there is no need 

 of giving. It would take up too much space. It is not easy to say 

 which rots the most, for with a very few exceptions, all grapes rot more 

 or less, unless sprayed or sacked. 



Up to this time the prospect for a full crop of this excellent fruit 

 is very promising. No insects have as yet done acy damage, and the 

 vines are in good health. 



As mentioned in the beginning of this article, will again ask 

 whether we cannot grow all the grapes here that we need? We have 

 varieties good enough for any one, and might do without the Califor- 

 nians, were it not that far-fetched and dearly bought has a charm for 

 some people. I am fond of good things myself, but have never bought 

 one dollar's worth of California grapes. But their oranges ( which we 

 cannot raise ) I like to pay for. 



I rented an acre of Norton Virginia from a neighbor that shows a 

 full setting, but in the pinching back I took off at least 30 per cent of 

 the blossom bunches. Expect to have as much weight of fruit as if all 

 had been left on. Samuel Millek, Bluffton, Mo. 



