166 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the spring as the ground is in suitable condition. The experience of the 

 past season has clearly demonstrated that ground plowed very early in 

 the spring holds moisture much better than under late plowing. We 

 should bear in mind that thorough cultivation applies to grape-growing 

 as well as to other kinds of fruit. It has been clearly demonstrated by 

 the experience of the past few years, that a very large proportion of the 

 fungous diseases and insect enemies that infest our fruit trees and vines, 

 can be controlled and kept in check by thorough and systematic spraying. 

 I usually spray my vines in the spring, about the time the buds begin to 

 grow, with Bordeaux mixture. If the Bordeaux mixture is calculated 

 to be used as an insecticide, it will be necessary to add one fourth pound 

 of Paris green or London purple to forty-five gallons of the mixture. I 

 spray again soon after the grapes are formed. These two sprayings are 

 usually sufficient in very dry seasons. It will sometimes be necessary in 

 very hot, rainy weather to repeat the spraying in case the vines are liable 

 to attack from black rot. The objects of spraying early in the season 

 are to prevent the germs of black rot from spreading, and to kill the 

 grapevine flea beetles that commence eating the blossom buds as soon as 

 they are formed. 



The grapevine leaf hopper, which is another grapevine enemy, is a very 

 small winged insect, about one tenth of an inch in length. It appeared 

 upon the vineyards in Calhoun county about the middle of June. These 

 insects live by sucking the juices from the leaves during the summer 

 season. I have no doubt, from the experience of the past season, that 

 immense damage will be done to vineyards the coming season, unless 

 prompt remedies are applied. The vines should be dusted early in the 

 season, before the leaf hoppers have acquired wings, with pyrethrum or 

 tobacco dust, or sprayed with kerosene emulsion. 



Worden, Concord, Moore's Diamond, Niagara, and Vergennes are still 

 the most popular market grapes among the old varieties. Winchell is 

 highly recommended for a very early grape. Further testing has 

 strengthened my belief that my new seedlings are superior in many 

 respects to the best old varieties. 



Let me say in conclusion that the ideal grape has not been found, but 

 I firmly believe that the future affords greater opportunities for improve- 

 ment in the grape than any other fruit. When we take into considera- 

 tion the ease and certainty with which grapes can be grown, when we 

 note the great length of tim ^ that they can be placed upon our tables as 

 dessert fruit, we must come to the conclusion that grape-growing will 

 soon become one of the leading fruit industries of our state. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Woodward: The gentleman says that our drouths are largely 

 caused by the destruction of the forests. Why was it that the Pilgrim 

 Fathers, before the country was settled, had to set aside a day for prayer 

 for rain, when the country was still wooded? 



A. Perhaps that it might illustrate their faith. 



Mr. Harrison : I would like to know if that is the best thing to destroy 

 the grub. I supposed the best thing to do was to use white hellebore. 



