PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 47 



from droutli owing to its habit of rooting near the surface. Early Harvest 

 is the earliest blackberry in cultivation; is of medium size, more productive 

 than Snyder, of fair quality, an excellent shipper; not strictly hardy — kills 

 at about fifteen degrees below zero, and does not succeed on poor, light 

 soils. Early Wilson and Wilson Jr. — These varieties are so nearly identi- 

 cal that the difference is not worth mention: early, very productive of 

 largest-size berries, when properly handled and pruned, but quite tender 

 in plant, killing at eight to ten below zero. Lawton. — This is the old 

 standard for late crop, and has no superior in its season; is somewhat sub- 

 ject to rust and not strictly hardy. Erie is similar in season and all other 

 respects to the Lawton, • and generally pronounced identical by our 

 growers; but some of our most careful men pronounce it a different 

 variety, though as yet it has not proved to be superior, so far as my knowl- 

 edge or information goes. The Kittatinny and some other varieties have 

 friends in certain localities, but have not proved generally succ^essful, 



GOOSEBEKRIES. 



The Downing possesses more good qualities for Michigan planters than 

 all other tested varieties. 



CURRANTS. 



» 



The Victoria is a prime favorite, as it blooms late, produces enormously 

 of large berries with long bunches, resists drouth and borers better than 

 any other, and holds its foliage late. The next best is the old Red Dutch. 

 Fay's Prolific, I presume, has disappointed more people than any fruit 

 introduced in the last twenty years. I have never yet seen a man who has 

 made a success in growing this variety for market, although I have seen a 

 few bushes do fairly well in sheltered locations or when protected from 

 spring frosts. It is a general failure in Michigan. In black currants, 

 Lee's Prolific and Black Naples are the best of the well-known sorts, but 

 the Black Champion may prove superior; but don't waste any money on 

 the Crandall — it is a worthless thing. 



GRAPES. 



In this fruit the Concord is the standard of productiveness and hardi- 

 ness, and is a favorite with consumers at the same time. It is probable 

 that no grape ripening later than Concord can ever be generally successful 

 in Michigan, so we will use it as a standard for comparison. Worden is 

 the only variety that is at all likely to displace the Concord on the market. 

 It is a week or more earlier, is sweet as soon as it begins to color, and 

 when ripe is of the very highest quality. Vine and foliage are strong and 

 healthy; berry larger than Concord, bunch equally as large, and fully as 

 productive; and, having so many good qualities. I consider it the best 

 black grape for Michigan. Champion or Talman looks like Concord, is 

 fully as healthy and productive; has a strong, healthy vine and foliage, and 

 is often sold as Concord, but it is some three weeks earlier. In quality it 

 is about as good as green persimmons — sour enough to make a pig squeal. 

 Its mission seems to be to destroy the demand for such grapes as Worden 

 and Concord, but the fact that good prices are realized for them is causing 

 the setting of large acreages. Moore's Early is a very good early black 



