222 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



with the other varieties mentioned, we would place Missouri first, 

 Orange second, and Meech third, in a list for a commercial plantation. 

 Champion is a good winter variety, but is often frosted before ripe, as 

 its season of ripening is about from middle to last of November. 



President Stevens: Now we have reached the topic of grapes, and 

 Mr. Sylvester Johnson, one of the most experienced growers, will give 

 us his list. 



Mr. S. Johnson: Before presenting' my paper I should like to make 

 a statement. The Secretary wrote me he would like to have me prepare 

 papers on Grapes and Walks. I laid this letter aside. The program that 

 was sent me was lost. My paper is on grapes generally. I will go ahead 

 and read it or not just as you say. 



President Stevens: Go ahead and read it. 



GRAPES AND GRAPE CULTURE. 



BY SYLVESTER JOHNSON, IRVINGTON. 



Grape vines will do well in any ground of average fertility, well 

 drained either artificially or by nature. A southern or eastern slope Is 

 desirable. To succeed well the ground should be thoroughly plowed, 

 subsoiled and pulverized to the depth of twelve to fifteen inches. Any 

 ground sufficiently fertile to raise a good corn crop will produce good 

 grape vines, if other conditions are favorable. If ground is not thus 

 fertile it must be made so by an application of barnyard manure or 

 wood ashes. 



In selecting vines secure, if possible, well rooted, thrifty one-year-old 

 vines. These can be had at a much less price and as a rule will give 

 as good if not better satisfaction than those two years old. If vines 

 have been purchased a great distance away and the roots have become 

 dry, place them at once in a vessel of water and let them remain until 

 you are ready to plant them. Grape vines may be planted either in fall 

 or spring. Fall I think preferable for the reason that the weather is 

 generally more favorable, the ground is more easily worked and is likely 

 to be better pulverized, and that the earth is settled around the roots, 

 and the plant is more likely to start to growing earlier in the spring. 

 In planting spread the roots in the directions they seem to want to go. 

 never allowing any root to cross or touch another. Do not place the 

 roots more than two inches under the surface, as grape roots incline to 

 grow near the surface. Mulch well either by keeping the surface well 



