218 • Missouri State Horticultural Society. 



prove very valuable in a large portion of our state. Combining 

 beauty and largest size of bunch, with excellent quality, it should 

 be tested extensively ; and is especially worthy of the attention of 

 such careful horticulturalists, who are willing to give this vine a 

 little extra care, and protect it from frost. I am satisfied that its 

 fruit, if well grown, will bring the highest price in market, of 

 any of our American varieties that are now before the public. 



But I will not take up your valuable time much longer, and in- 

 concluding my remarks would only call your attention to some 

 points, which a season like the past one should teach us. 



First. If we live in a section where experience has shown us 

 that rot and mildew are prevalent diseases, let us not plant varie- 

 ties which are notoriously subject to them, unless, indeed, we are 

 lucky enough to be in one of those few favored localities from 

 which they seem to be banished. There are some such localities, 

 for instance, Just north of St. Louis, as the vineyards of Mr. Gast 

 and Mr. Kuhs bear testimony, in which the rot is and has been al- 

 most unknown ever since they were planted. It is true that if we 

 would shun those varieties which are known to be subject to dis- 

 ease, the selection left us may be a very limited one, but better 

 plant of those few reliable kinds, even though the quality may not 

 be just what we would desire, than to forego this noble fruit en. 

 tirely. 



Second. If we want to grow the finer varieties let us give a 

 little more attention to winter covering of such as are known to be 

 sensitive to extreme cold. This covering is really but little trouble 

 and in case of a severe winter will largely repay. Your less careful 

 neighbor will have no grapes to sell, and you will get a good price 

 for yours, as the high price which has been ruling for good grapes 

 in St. Louis this year will testify. 



Third. Let us test new varieties more extensively. It is not 

 necessary to plant many of a kind, a couple of plants of each are 

 sufficient for testing. There is no new variety now introduced by 

 any reputable nurseryman but what has good points which may 

 make it a most valuable grape, for your locality, provided it is 

 adapted and will succeed there. Experience alone can settle this 

 question definitely for you. If you test a dozen new kinds and 

 only one or two should succeed well, plant of those more largely 

 and you will be amply repaid in time for those which have failed. 

 Do not say that the failing ones are a " humbug." They are good 

 enough if they only find the soil, climate and locality suited to 

 them. "No one grape is suited to all localities, nor is thereany 



