80 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



mcnt and success, I should use seed fiom only thebest varieties of hardy, 

 healthy, vigorous kinds. Unfortunately most of our late introduction of 

 new varieties are crossed more or less with the Vinifera, which is not at 

 all adapted to this section of country ; they are too tender to withstand 

 our winters unprotected and there are but few locations where they do 

 not blight, mildew and rot. I should not plant seeds of the Labrusca, 

 they are too subject to rot. We are quite too remiss in not thinningour 

 fruit when our trees and vines overbear, not so much to have the fruit so 

 much better as to preserve the trees and vines in health ; there are more 

 vines injured, yes, ruined, by being allowed to overbear than from any 

 other cause which I have particularly observed in this section ; vines 

 should not be allowed at any time, but more particularly for the two or 

 three first years of their bearing, it prevents the growth and ripening of 

 the wood and enfeebles them so much that they are likely to be winter 

 killed or are so injured that it takes a long time to recover, and few ever 

 recover, to make a strong healthy vine, and this will apply in a great 

 measure to your apple trees, which, please observe carefully. My vines 

 in early spring never looked better or showed finer prospects for fruit, 

 but a very severe hail storm on the loth cut and broke them so much 

 that I shall have very little fruit, not one-fourth of a crop. 



Perhaps it may interest some of the members to learn how some of 

 the grapes stood our severe winter, or how they did not. 



The Niagara, Empire State, Ulster Prolific, Moore's Diamond, Pren- 

 tiss. Virginia, Jefferson, Lady Washington, and in fact, about all the hy- 

 brids that were not protected were killed to the ground. I find some of 

 my best varieties to be quite as hardy as Concord and not injured at all. 



Respectfully yours, 



JOHN BURR. 



The secretary read a paper from Mr. Schott, of St. Joseph, a special- 

 ist on grape rot, who took the position that rot was not a fungus disease, 

 but was caused from the sting of an insect, and sent specimens of leaves; 

 he thought vigorous pruning and sulphur smoking the proper and surest 

 remedy. 



Prof. Taft, of Columbia, obtained the floor and took positive grounds 

 against the insect theory and was sure that rot was a disease. Miss 



