SUMMER MEETING. 93 



Buc with this system of spreading the vines, I find one defect. Too many 

 small shoots start out from the old wood that are worthless. I find that they 

 increase as the vines become older. Notwithstanding I get new wood enough 

 to get a good crop of luscious fruit each year. Perhaps the time may come 

 when I shall think best to cut back to the stump, or plant new vines. This 

 vineyard has not been manured in ten years. Plow first in the spring, then 

 cultivate thoroughly through the summer. 



For two years I have been troubled to some extent with a black slug, the 

 same which attacks pear and cherry trees. It eats the leaves and destroys the 

 fruit. What shall be done to check them? 



I would say farther that I tried tying to stakes but soon abandoned it. I also 

 tried the fan system but did not like that. The Concord must be spread in this 

 climate, most emphatically. It must have room in order to grow good fruit, 

 that will ripen early and sell well. 



This year, June 1st, Moore's Early and Hartford were in blossom. June 9th, 

 Concords, Delawares and several other varieties were in bloom. Last year 

 Concords did not bloom till July 3d. 



NATIONAL VITICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 



Secretary Garfield announced that he had received the following letter from 

 Jacob Ganzhorn, the well-known fruit grower of Ann Arbor: 



Deak Friend Garfield: — You ask me to send a leaf, if I cannot be pres- 

 ent at the Lansing meeting. I should be very glad to attend this gathering, 

 but my spare time for the present was exhausted by my recent trip to Wash- 

 ington, attending the National Viticultural Association, and I will send you a 

 few " leaves" from the proceedings of that meeting. I was the only one rep- 

 resenting our grand State, but I hope in the near future many others will join 

 the organization, and thus do justice to our '^rape interest. 



You are aware that the grape-growers between the two oceans were brought 

 . together for the first time, and for the purpose of promoting a great national 

 industry. The time has arrived that an interest of such magnitude should 

 have an organized head. National legislation will be required to protect the 

 interests of the grape-grower, and it is proper that such legislation is guided 

 by a national society. 



The meetings and exhibits were held in one of the Department of Agricult- 

 ure buildings. The Hon. N. J. Coleman takes such a lively interest in the 

 advancement of grape -growing, he leaves nothing undone he can do to pro- 

 mote its interests and progress. The exercises were begun with a very able 

 address by him. He places a high estimate on the value of the grape, as both 

 a medicine and food, and believe grape cures should in the future abound all 

 over our country, as they do in France and Germany. Our soil and climate 

 favor the production of the grape in great abundance, and so cheap that all 

 who do not grow it themselves, can enjoy it at moderate cost, and thus secure 

 its benefit, both as a health-giving article and food. 



The address was followed with a valuable paper on " Grapes and Grape 

 Must," the pure, unfermented juice of the grape as a food and as a medicine, 

 by Mr. George Dewey, of New York. Thus, with the perfection of the orga- 

 nization, the Commissioner's address, and the reading of this paper ended the 

 first day. 



