STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 423 



to two eyes. At the end of the next season we will have eight canes, 

 each alternate one of these we prune back to a single eye, and the 

 other four according to the strength of the vine, from two to four 

 feet. The following year one cane is grown from each single eye spur 

 and the long canes are allowed to produce a crop of fruit. In the fall 

 the canes from single eyes are cut back to a suitable length, and those 

 that have borne fruit to one inch above the lowest side branch, and 

 that to a single eye. 



The best varieties for cultivation by farmers are Moore's Early, 

 Worden, Concord, Delaware, Brighton and Martha. If a sour grape 

 is desired for cooking purposes, the Jauesville and Clinton might be 

 added to the list. 



SKILLFUL GARDENING. 

 By M. T. Ridoiit, Lakeside. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: 



By request of your worthy president, I appear before you this after- 

 noon to give you a little plain talk on the vegetable department of 

 horticulture. 



Experience, although many times a dear teacher, is the sure method 

 of gaining a true knowledge of what is required to bring about the 

 best results in our immediate locality. The United States of America 

 in its vastness, embraces a widely varied climate and soil. 



Our soil and climate are well adapted to vegetable growth, and with 

 proper culture great size and perfection are secured. As a matter of 

 economy, also in a sanitary point of view, more vegetables should be 

 grown and more consumed. This everlasting bread and meat business 

 pats many a dollar into the doctor's purse while our own becomes 

 depleted. 



Fruit and vegetables should be alio^ved a more prominent place on 

 the farmer's table. They are not only conducive to health, but they 

 tend to expand and strengthen the intellect. 



I will proceed to give our method of management, which has met 

 with tolerable success, both financially and otherwise : 



Select a piece of ground as nearb' level as possible If sloping at 

 all, let it be towards the south. Manure heavilj'- — say seventy-five 

 wagon loads to the acre, with composted manure. Manure from the 

 stables is better than that taken from the yard. Let your compost 

 heap consist of two loads taken from the horse barn to one^from the 



