78 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



lowing it is advisable to spray with the Bordeaux mixture, as a pre- 

 ventive of rot. For the amateur, or small grower, I advise bagging the 

 grapes, which is a sure preventive of rot and also a bar to worms and 

 birds. I do not include bees, because I have never seen a bee puncture 

 a grape, nor attempt to, after hours of patient watching. They simply 

 finish the work which other and stronger depredators have beguu. 

 From the conformation of a bee's month, as seen through a microscope, 

 I consider it a physical impossibility for them to cut or puncture the 

 skin of a sound grape berry. As well might a child try to bite a hole in 

 a rubber ball the size of an ordinary room. Bagging should be done 

 here between the 6th and 12th of June. The proper time for other lo- 

 calities I cannot give, but it should be done as soon as the berries 

 range in size from squirrel to duck-shot. I find No. 2 ( or 2 pounds ) 

 paper-bags to be the best size. These are slipped — extended — over the 

 bunches, the tops gathered and then fastened with a pin or tied. Should 

 the stem of the bunch of grapes be too short to fasten the bag around 

 it, then tear open the top of the bag about two inches, and bring the 

 ends together over the limb to which the bunch is attached. Some- 

 times two bunches cpn be put into one bag. A small corner of each 

 bag should be cut off, to allow the water, which, during a rain, often 

 partially fills a bag, to escape. 



Fourth year — This is similar to that of the third year. The old 

 wood which has borne fruit is cut off, and the canes which grew during 

 the previous summer are pruned for bearing. This is called the 

 renewal system, and for ordinary purposes is best, because easier to 

 understand and less elaborate than other systems. It can be, and by 

 me is often varied, by allowing the old wood to fruit several years, 

 provided it furnishes enough laterals for fruit spurs. In such an 

 event some of the surplus young canes are removed. The pruning 

 and treatment after the fourth year is the same. Pruning can be done 

 at any time after the leaves have fallen until the middle or end of 

 March. 



The leading essentials to success in grape culture are : 



First — Thorough cultivation. 



Second — Proper pruning. 



Third — Good drainage. 



Fourth — Plenty of air and sunshine. 



To this may be added that a vine must not be overtaxed, nor 

 should it be over-stimulated. Nature points the way, and where mis- 

 cakes are made, they soon become apparent to those who keep their 

 eyes open. Chas. Teubner, Lexington, Mo. 



