50 NEBRASKA STATE HORTiri'ETURAL SOCIETY. 



soil, or pruned too severely, and then, since it is self-fertile, should be 

 planted between other varieties. It should also be covered "in winter. If 

 the grapes are picked before they are too ripe, as they will then crack, 

 and are covered with bags to keep out rots, especially fine clusters will be 

 obtained. 



The Dutchess was originated and introduced by A. J. Caywood, of 

 Marlboro, New York. This took place in 1868 and 1880 respectively. It 

 came from seed of a white Concord seedling, pollinated by mixed pollen 

 of Delaware and Walter. Its maternal parent was a white offspring' of 

 Concord, pollinated by Montgomery. 



Other good grapes are the Lady Washington, Empire State, Green 

 Mountain, Niagara, and Geneva, which are white; the Jefferson, Rogers 

 No. 1, and Goethe, which are red; and the Mills, Rogers No. 10, Herbert, 

 and Ammia, which are black. 



In this paper the various good points and the defects have been briefly 

 touched upon with an idea of helping any prospective fruit grower in his 

 selection of certain varieties. No variety as yet is perfect, and that 

 means much work along the lines of grape breeding can be carried on 

 so that a perfect or standard grape can be grown in Nebraska. 



A variety in order to be perfect in Nebraska should have the follow- 

 ing points: Perfect hardiness against adverse climatic conditions and 

 insect and fungous pests; an elastic constitution; large, well-formed, and 

 uniform bunches and berries; fruits with a high enough sugar content, 

 so that they will keep and ship well, and make high grade wines and 

 raisins; a rich, delicate, and vinous flavor, like that of the Old World 

 grapes plus the refreshing sprightliness of the American sorts; a sweet, 

 thin, yet tough, skin free from astringency; a fleshy pulp with the seeds 

 small and separating readily; a firm and persistent berry — one that will 

 not shatter or shell from the peduncles; vines that are more compact 

 in habit, making a stockier annual growth, which does not require such 

 severe pruning and special training; and fruit borne in the large quan- 

 tities, vine for vine, or acre for acre, as is characteristic of the Old World 

 varieties. 



DISCUSSION. 



President: If there is any one who wishes to ask Mr. HofMann any 

 questions they may do it now. 



Q. When is the right time to trim vines? 



A. The best time to trim vines is just before the sap begins to flow 

 in the spring. Some nice late winter day or early spring day is the best 

 time; but don't wait until the sap begins to flow or the vine will bleed. 



Q. How would late October or early March do; of those two dates 

 which would you select? 



A. If I wished to propagate and make new vines I would prefer to 

 prune in late October, but otherwise I would prune the early part of 

 March. There doesn't seem to be much difference otherwise between 

 the two dates, late October or early IMarch. I haven't seen much differ- 



