384 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



D. T. Root stripped a part of his vineyard and thinks it was a~ 

 great help to Delawares, but as to the growth of Concords, he can see 

 no difference between those that were stripped and those that were 

 not. 



F. E. Bitely says stripping is the only salvation after frost. 



One of the finest vineyards we have seen this season is owned by 

 James Robinson, southwest of the village. The frost in May com- 

 pletely cooked his vines, but they have come out well with a second 

 growth of wood and foliage, and will yield over a third of a crop. Mr^ 

 Robinson stripped all his vines after the frost, and is highly pleased 

 with the result. 



Some others are of the opinion that it makes no difference, but we 

 fail to find anyone who thinks it injures the crop. Different methods 

 were followed, some cutting off the dead sprouts leaving about an inch 

 next to the woods, while others tore it entirely oft", compelling the new 

 growth to start from the wood. The latter plan is found to bring the 

 better results. It is also found that the earlier the vines are stripped 

 after the frost, the better they yield. Most of the growers say that in 

 case of frost in the future they will proceed immediately to strip every 

 vine. Vineyards that were so treated this year will yield from a fourth 

 to a half crop Lawton Leader. 



Has Never Noticed Such an Effect. 



I have had no experience in laying down and covering grape vines 

 to protect them from the cold of winter, that would lead me to believe 

 that it had any effect upon the time of ripening of the fruit. In no 

 way could I account for such a result, because the growth and vigor 

 of the vine is dependent upon climatic influences and the fertility of 

 the soil. While it is true that those kinds which have an admixture of 

 foreign blood are benefited by the protection given, I have never found 

 that our hardy kinds like Concord, Worden, Moore's Early, etc., were 

 injured by the cold; on the contrary, I have injured many a vine by 

 bending it down to cover it. I have sometimes merely fastened the 

 vine with pegs, but usually cover with earth after pegging down. As 

 one or two weeks gained in time of ripening means a great deal to the 

 grape-grower, I think some of us ought to have found out the secret 

 long ago. Walter F. Taber, Batchess Co., N. Y. 



