ANNUAL MEETING AT NEVADA. 297 



whitish round spots, which soon expand in circumference ; the berries 

 turn dark brown, then the berry shrivels and dries up, and turns black.. 

 In midsummer, when the weather is sultry and oppressive, thunder and 

 rain storms frequent the horizon at evenings illumined by fla^-hes of light- 

 ning, and when the vines are dew-drenched in the morning, then rot ap- 

 pears, and often disappears and reappears with these phenomena ; the 

 black rot don't affect the vines or its leaves the least. Thirty years ago 

 it was supposed that the Catawba was the only grape that was subjected 

 to rot, but now nearly all varieties, except Delaware, Cynthiana, Nortons 

 become affected. The theory that rot is produced by phylloxera, or root 

 lice, is unfounded. We are still hoping that some practical mode to pre- 

 vent rot or to render the development of the disease impossible may be 

 discovered ; until that is found, we should plant only varieties which are 

 less subjected to rot. I have tried and experimented with about twenty 

 varieties, that I can recommend ; so far as my experience has been here 

 in south-west Missouri the following varieties will show the order of ripen- 

 ing: Early Victor, Moore's Early, Perkins, Delaware, Ives, Empire State, 

 Concord, Pocklington, Niagara, Elvira, Cynthiana, Norton Virginia, Etta, 

 Highland ; these are all good, but such as Triumph, Jefferson, August 

 Giant, Lady Washington, Martha, Hartford Prt)lific, and some of Rog- 

 er's Hybrids won't do here in this country or locality : they don't pay for 

 the money, time nor labor on them. Even the copper mixture I used on 

 them did not save them. 



PREVENTION OF ROT. 



Last spring I received from our Secretary, Mr. Russell, from the 

 Agricultural Department a report on the fungus diseases of the grape, 

 and the following mixture was used with good result : 



I have about 300 vines of different kinds, six years old, in bearing. 

 For them I use eight pounds sulphate of copper dissolved in 15 gallons 

 of water, then 20 pounds fresh lime in 20 gallons of water. When the 

 lime has cooled off pour it slowly Jn the copper solution, mix it thor- 

 oughly by constant stirring ; had it prepared several days before using 

 it, in a 40 gallon barrel, had a stick in it and stirred it well every tirile 

 before using ; commenced putting on May iith and 22d, then I did 

 not keep correct account when I applied it, but I remember I have put 

 it on every time after a rain — the last time July 6th. I use an old broom 

 with a handle left on about i foot long, then sprinkle it on the leaves 

 and grapes, and all. I believe the treatment prevents the fungus from 

 destroying the fruit, because I havp 125 vines of the Concord. They 



