142 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



vine 17 feet long and left it six feet high ; and although in the succeeding 

 winter mercury went seventeen degrees below, every bud on that vine started 

 and grew the following season. 



Mr. Phillips : I got ten cents per pound for Niagaras last season and but 

 three cents for Concords. 



W. A. Smith : I have no antagonism to the Niagara, but I say we should 

 not recommend it for general cultivation when it fails in some places. Its 

 test is not yet fully made. By my own taste its flavor is inferior to that of 

 the Concord; but quality of fruic is wholly a matter of taste. I think I shall 

 soon try to grow the Niagara myself. 



A. Adams: Its quality is not better than that of the Concord. It sells high 

 because it is a novelty. I think that by the time all the vines now set are in 

 bearing, some new grape will " take the starch out of it." 



T. W. Merritt: Some of A. C. Merritt's vines did not overbear last year 

 and such are all right now. The Niagara is musky, but that is a flavor many 

 people like. The fruit of the Niagara may be shipped to California and back 

 and still be in good condition, while the Concord is a poor shipiJer. Set grape- 

 vines no deeper than you can cultivate, but be sure and set them that deep. 

 Invert the soil as deeply as possible and set at that depth. 



A. C. Merritt: I do not think the Niagara's leaf will resist mildew as well 

 as the Concord's. The fruit will rot when Concords do, but not other- 

 wise. My vineyard's soil runs from sand to clay loam, the vines doing best 

 on the latter. The clays are best for grapes. 



Mr. Adams : What can be said of the Pocklingtou and Prentiss? 



Mr. Launiii : I had some Pockliugtons, but got three times as much fruit 

 from Niagaras. They are not now hurt by winters; but they will drop their 

 fruit unless it is gathered at Just the right time; its bunches are small, and 

 although it is liardy I would not advise anyone to plant it. The American 

 society voted on choice of white grapes and Niagara got two-thirds of the 

 ballots. 



Mr. Phillips: I set the Prentiss and it killed out quickly. 



Mr. Launin: The Empire State froze almost to the ground last winter. I 

 have now one little bunch and am caring for it with much solicitude. 



Mr. Phillips: My Brightens bore for the first time last year and were mag- 

 nificent. They grow strongly and are of good quality. 



Mr. Nye: In Ohio I have known the Brighton to show no mildew at a time 

 when the Concord did show it. 



Friday Morning Session. 



Reports were made and adopted from the committees on flowers and fruits, 

 following which was read the subjoinel letter from J. G. llamsdell, of South 

 Haven, who had been appointed to read a paper on " Can the Spread of 

 Yellows be Prevented? " 



South Haven, May 29, 1887. 



Just at the last moment I find I am unable to be present with you, June 1, 

 on account of ill health of my family and myself. I am very sorely dis- 

 appointed in not being able to be witli you on this particular occasion, for I 

 have always had a very strong interest in this association from the first, and 



