WINTER MEETING. 279 



prophets of old have told us of the utter devastation of the vineyards 

 more than 28 centuries since. Thankful, indeed, are we that no such 

 scourges are recorded in our time. 



A little worm classed entomologically as thrips does some damage. 



That dread destroyer of the European vineyard, "phylloxera," has 

 not visited this country to any considerable extent; but let us be 

 watchful ; neglect will only presage disaster and disappointment. 



The subject of a market must be left to some one else. Besides 

 the home grown stock many car'loads have found their way to Kansas 

 City, but they are cheap. But be their commercial value what it will, 

 they retain all their medicinal and delicious qualities just the same. 



To the townsman we recommend the culture of the vine; the occu- 

 pation will be both pleasant and healthful. Many an unsightly spot 

 can be hid ; also, it can be made to lessen the expense account. A 

 lack of room will be urged as an apology, no doubt. So used have all 

 of us became to the broad prairies that we cannot place a proper esti- 

 mate on a foot of land. 



In closing, I will say to the fruitman : Wake up, study your fruits, 

 your climate and your soil. God may have been a million years in pre- 

 paring Missouri for your habitation and mine. Let us do our own 

 work in our own time. Some day this State will have ten millions of 

 people, and a new generation will be singing praises to a beneficent 

 Oreator for the abundant harvests of the vine. 



A. Chandler, Argentine, Kas. 



GRAPE-GROWING. 



From reading ancient histories and legends it appears that the 

 grape culture is as old as man; yet seemingly it is the least understood 

 hereabouts. 



The intelligent grape-grower, in order to become successful, should 

 acquaint himself with the fundamental principles of the grape vines, 

 the home of the variety and where mostly cultivated successfully, the 

 history of the variety and its illustrations, the general character of the 

 vine, its vigor of growth, fertility, hardiness, resistence to heat, cold 

 and drouth, to parasitic and fungous diseases, to insects, requirements 

 of climate, soil and culture ; its wood, heavy or light, long or short- 

 jointed, color and character of its bud; leafing early or late, size of its 

 foliage, shape (lobed or not ), upper and lower surface (smooth, glossy, 

 hairy or wooly ); leaf fall, early or late, change of color (to yellow or 

 red ) preceding fall ; size and shape of the bunch, shouldered or not, 



