TWENTY FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING. 173 



on a few vines, I liave trimmed from the time the leaves were falling 

 until the leaves were out again, and I must say I never saw any difference 

 in the bearing or growth. 



Mr. Sigler: I have trimmed my vines, the last thirty years, in the fall, 

 and I think that is the time to do it. I have trimmed for other folk in 

 the spring, when they would bleed, and I do not think it is the right 

 thing to do. If any one can explain why the}^ should leave this wood 

 on, for the benefit of grubs, I would like to know. I think after the 

 wood has ripened it is of no more use to the vine, except what you want 

 for bearing. The quicker it is cut off the better. 



Mr. Baldwin: It is absolutely necessary? 



Mr. Willard: I should say it is not. If you discriminate between 

 early and late fall, that is different. There is enough time, however, 

 when the vine or tree is in an absolutely dormant condition, to afford 

 ample opportunity to trim in the fall. I consider it good practice to trim 

 in the fall. Whenever the weather is suitable and there is no frost, our 

 knives are going, every day. 



Mr. E. W. Allen: One point I think is well taken, in regard to the 

 reason why fall pruning is desirable, that the ends of the vines, where 

 the spores are, mostly, of the fungous diseases, will be cut off and burned 

 during the fall. 



Mr. Morrill: I want to say that I consider it one of the most impor- 

 tant things in all our works,' nowadays, to burn the trimmings and do 

 away with that much trouble, the propagation of additional disease. 



A FEW THOUGHTS ON THE GEAPE. 



BY MR. H. C. BRADISH OF ADRIAN. 



Good grapes are wholesome, delicious, and conducive to health and 

 longevity. We learn from history that the ancients esteemed them 

 highly. One of them planted a vineyard, drank wine, and lived nine 

 hundred and fifty years. 



Since the Concord was voted the grape for the million, a number of 

 other kinds have been produced that are good or better, and which fur- 

 nish a variety of fiavors. Among the better ]dnds that are adapted to 

 southern :\richigan may be named Brighton. Delaware, Niagara. Dia- 

 mond. Worden, and Concord, for fall use, and Vergennes and Jefferson 

 for long keeping. 



Many varieties named in the catalogues are unworthy of cultivation on 

 account of weakness of vine, unproductiveness, or bad quality, and 

 should be dropped from the lists. Time is too precious to waste on poor 

 kinds. 



A situation elevated enough for good air drainage is preferable to a 

 low level, as there is less danger from the early and late frosts. The soil 

 should be deep, rich, well drained, and deeply pulverized. 



Planting should be done before the buds start, in holes four or five 

 inches deep, with convex bottoms. The roots should point in different 



