THE SUMMER MEETING. 25 



whom are doubtless my seniors both in age and years of ripe experience, and to 

 whom any suggestions from me would be at best in bad taste. 



I shall for the same reasons submit my remarks plainly and without refer- 

 ence to criticisms of a literary character, because I can hardly hope to offer 

 you anything absolutely new pertaining to grape culture, and yet I shall noc 

 say that this is impossible. But I may safely assert that grape literature at 

 best is none too interesting, and that the field has already been thoroughly 

 gleaned by enterprising publishers of so-called books of instruction, and by 

 those would-be benevolent dealers who are nothing if they are not wise beyond 

 all others, in reference to this particular branch of horticulture. However, as 

 it is one thing to theorize, and another and generally very different thing to 

 practically demonstrate the truth in any given problem in the field of pomol- 

 ogy, I shall refrain from reviewing the various methods advocated by Fuller, 

 Grant, Robinson, and others, to whom long years ago I was respectively in- 

 debted for some expensive if not valuable bits of information. Perhaps I shall 

 best serve the interests of those in pursuit of knowledge by contributing such 

 practical hints as have been suggested by observation and actual experimental 

 tests as they have occurred in the course of my own efforts to establish a vine- 

 yard. 



The infinite variety of plans and specifications made and provided seemingly 

 for the express purpose of bewildering and befogging the unsophisticated 

 beginner by the philanthropists aforesaid, it is, perhaps, superfluous to say, are 

 far from affording any satisfactory solution of the great problems, What to 

 do and how best to do it ? 



Many have given ear to these seductive blandishments to their most serious 

 cost. And I am personally knowing to not a few instances in which total 

 bankruptcy to the individual thus beguiled has come as a result of following 

 the teachings of so-called standard authorities, or of dealers who palmed ui^ou 

 their unsuspecting victims varieties which they could not but know were in no 

 wise adapted to the climatic extremes to which they would be subjected. 



For these and other reasons I have little faith in books purporting to impart 

 reliable information upon the subject of vineyard culture. "While for those gen- 

 tlemen who so disinterestedly cater to our wanes in the production of an an- 

 nual crop of the most wonderful new varieties, and whose finely-spun theories 

 may be likened unto the sands of the sea, I confess myself indebted for a better 

 appreciation of the meaning of that time-honored maxim, "All is not gold 

 that glitters." In my opinion, the only safe guide for a new beginner is the 

 attentive study of the successes and failures of those who have preceded him 

 in the business in the locality in which he may design to make his plantation. 

 Those varieties, sales, and systems of culture, which his own observation and 

 the experience of others have demonstrated to be suited to such locality should 

 be rightfully adjudged as a criterion safest for himself to follow. 



Of course this will not always apply; very few rules are applicable in all 

 cases. But this one has, at least, the merit of safety, aud its acceptance may 

 therefore prevent the serious and vexatious loss of both time and money. 



It would appear to be a settled fact that no section of the north or north- 

 western states is naturally adapted to promiscuous grape culture, as those who 

 have had faith to invest at fancy prices, in one and another of the many new 

 varieties, whose praises have from time to time been sounded abroad in the 

 land, are ready to certify. 



The ameliorating influence of the great bodies of water by which we arc sur- 

 rounded upon our climate is a fact well understood by fruit growers throughout 



