54 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the shipping point. Also consider the matter of securing sufficient 

 help to pick and pack the fruit and pay an extra price for these things 

 rather than try to do without them. 



M. A. C. STUDENTS' SPEAKING CONTEST. 



Three years ago the Michigan State Horticultural Society introduced 

 the plan of having the senior horticultural students at the Michigan 

 Agricultural College contest for cash prizes of $60 in giving five-minute 

 addresses at the annual meeting; also in judging and identifying some 

 of the plates of fruit on exhibit at the same meeting. This has re- 

 sulted in the most interesting part of the whole program and great 

 credit is due to Prof. H. J. Eustace of the College and his students for 

 the great success secured. Other states have copied the plan with more 

 or less success. 



This event at this annual meeting was even better than ever before, 

 fifteen young men taking part in the speaking and it was very difficult 

 for the audience to decide as to which ones did the best. Each one did 

 himself credit and the following papers will show the practical nature 

 of the subjects selected and the satisfactory way in which each Mas 

 presented. 



THE RED GRAPE. 



II. B\ MINERS, ST. JOSEPH. 



(First Prize Address.) 



During the last decade Michigan Horticulture has suffered a great 

 many serious setbacks and large amonts of money have been lost through 

 disease but to my mind Michigan grape growers have never had a 

 more serious disease to contend with than the so-called "Red-Grape" or 

 downy mildew. Hundreds, yes, thousands of acres of grapes have either 

 been ruined or else partially ruined during the present year in south- 

 western Michigan through this little understood disease. 



Coming as it does in the early summer its advance is not noticed 

 until it is too late. It makes its appearance in early summer as 

 a white cottony mass on the canes and the under side of the leaves. 

 Since this growth is not at all conspicuous in appearance it is not 

 noticed until the fungus attacks the berry along in August. The berry 

 then turns a pinkish red long before it is time for it to ripen and about 

 the time it should ripen the berry shrivels up and is easily shaken to 

 the ground, thus either ruining the bunch or else spoiling its appear- 

 ance. Since none of this white cottony mass appears on the berry, to 

 the casual observer there is seemingly no cause for the disease. 



Along in the early part of the summer, shortly after the fungus first 

 appears little spores or seeds are formed which are blown about the 



