26o MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



hope none of us will be obliged to try it. I have been quite free 

 from birds the past few years. My good neighbor, H. L. Crane, 

 "shoos" them over to Mr. Gust. Johnson. I am unable to state just 

 how Mr. Johnson gets them back to Mr. Crane. Perhaps birds of 

 a feather flock towards each other — at any rate, they pass me by. 



It is an unusual thing for grapes to ripen sufficiently to market 

 in August, but I will give my methods as it may be of some interest. 

 First, however, I want to say that the extremely shortsighted policy 

 of some growers in rushing their grapes to market only partly ripe 

 has done more to spoil the demand for home grown grapes than 

 any other one thing. It is a pernicious practice and should be dis- 

 couraged froni every side. I have carriers made to hold a California 

 peach crate, and the pickers cut into the crates and carry to a given 

 point, from which they are hauled to the barn, where they are 

 stacked in racks to stand for at least twenty-four hours before pack- 

 ing in baskets. Standing a day or two causes the stems to become 

 less stiff and brittle, so they handle better, not allowing them to 

 sink and give the baskets a slack-filled appearance. They work 

 faster and easier, and one can get more grapes in a basket that way. 

 I use the smallest basket I can get and fill it just as full as I can 

 possibly get it. When they have stood twenty-four to thirty-six 

 hours, even the thinnest-skinned sorts may be packed one-half to 

 three-fourths inch above the rim and forced down with the cover 

 without breaking the grapes. They will, when opened, present a 

 very fine appearance, as they will be quite even on top but still 

 showing the clusters. Each cover is stamped with vineyard, name, 

 address and variety. I always take special pains to have them go 

 to market as neat and attractive as possible. 



Mr. Henry Husser: I always have trouble with the Concord 

 because they grow such immense laterals. Is it not injurious to 

 prune out the' laterals in July and August ? 



Mr. Reel : The lateral will exhaust the vine probably, but it is 

 a detriment to the grape more than to the vine. It takes the suste- 

 nance away from the fruit and prevents the fruit from developing. 

 The idea of summer pruning is to turn everything possible into the 

 fruit. 



Mr. Husser : Sometimes it happens that some varieties drop 

 their berries, what do you think is the cause of that? 



Mr. Reel: There are several reasons for that. Sometimes there 

 is a little worm that gets in. Order varieties drop them some time 

 before they ripen. The grapes of some varieties fall much easier 

 than others. 



Mr. Husser : I have some Clinton ; they do not fall ofif. 



Mr. Reel : You couldn't knock the Clinton ofif with a club. 

 (Laughter.) 



