SUMMER MEETING. 75^ 



ture, but found it entirely too stronj?. We then weakened it, using six 

 pounds copper sulphate, six pounds quick lime, two ounces Paris 

 green, to 70 gallons water; even this was too strong for the Herbeinont 

 foliage, so we gave it up ; and yet we had a third of a crop, but bunches 

 were so irregular they did not look well. We fear the same trouble 

 this year; will give them another trial and if with no better result will 

 dig them up and replace with Cunningham, a delightful wine grape. 

 So far we see no signs of rot on any other variety and until I do will 

 spend my time in cultivating and pinching back, getting all light and 

 circulation about the vine possible. This is my experience with grapes 

 in South Missouri up to date. A word further regarding the average 

 and 1 am through. In 1893 there were but three commercial vine- 

 yards of a few hundred vines each, now there are hundreds and hun- 

 dreds of thousands of vines planted, the acreage increasing rapidly 

 each year. Up to last year there were but few grapes shipped ; I doubt 

 if the commission merchants here ever receive a consignment from all 

 that territory. This year we will ship by car-loads, besides there was 

 built a very large wine cellar at Brandsville last year, this company 

 taking all the good wine grapes grown. I predict that the grape cul- 

 ture will grow rapidly and before many years our rocky hillsides will 

 be covered with vineyards and the wine industry second to none in 

 this country, for those claiming to be experts and are posted say 

 our grapes make a wine equal to the best brands of the old country, 

 and our table grapes cannot be surpassed by any locality in the United 

 States. John T. Snodgrass, West Plains, Mo. 



PLANTING, CARE AND PRUNING OF GRAPES. 



SOIL AND LOCATION. 



The grape prefers well-drained soil and free access to air and sun. 

 Hence elevated sites are best, but when the above named requirements 

 are afforded they can be successfully grown in any situation. A sandy 

 or loamy soil is best, but with good care they will grow in any except 

 wet soil. 



PLANTING. 



On level land, rows running north and south are preferable, as 

 giving best aeration, but if planted on a slope, the direction of the 

 rows must be adapted to that. I have found the best distance for 

 planting to be 6 by 6. It is true, on rich soil strong growers may re- 

 quire 6 to 8 feet for 5 or 6 years, but after they have borne several 

 crops they will lose some of their vigor and then 6 by 6 feet will suffice. 



