HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 277 



in this state, and in my judgment should stand at the head of all 

 others, at least of the red varieties, in receiving the attention of 

 horticulturists. 



Delaware is a little peculiar in its make-up, in its lineage, we 

 would say. It is one-half ^stiralis, or summer grape; one- 

 quarter foreign and one-quarter Labrusca, and has certain pecu- 

 liarities which have rendered it unsuccessful in some localities. 

 It is now doing better in Southern Minnesota than any other lo- 

 cality, and perhaps is worthy of further cultivation, but its 

 growth should be discouraged in large vineyards except for 

 fruiting. It has a very bad root and other defects which I have 

 not time to speak of. 



Lindley is coming forward and gaining in favor every day. It 

 is one of the numerous Rogers hybrids, and except for the fact that 

 it has an imperfect blossom, what we call reflex stamens, would 

 rank at the head of our grapes. But this can be obviated largely 

 by planting it in connection with other perfect flowering varie- 

 ties. It perhaps would be unnecessary to refer to the well- 

 known Wordeu, Concord, and Moore's Early, The latter has 

 been overrated, is already losing ground and is being cut down 

 in Michigan, in its rating, from eight to five. Its want of pro- 

 ductiveness, and other faults tell largely against it. There are 

 one or two white varieties of comparatively new origin, the Em- 

 pire State, for instance, claimed to be a Labrusca, but showing 

 unmistakable marks of foreign blood; also the Niagara are 

 promising very well. 



Of insect enemies to small fruit to speak in a few moments of 

 time it would be perhaps useless to try to allude to any of them. 

 In our immediate section we have suffered very heavily from the 

 depredations of the white grub this season. And if anybody 

 knows of a remedy that will be effectual, I should like very 

 much to hear it. A French scientist recently reported that he 

 had great success by treating them with benzine. But it is some- 

 thing I know nothing about. Cut worms are not nearly as 

 bad in Minnesota as in some other localities, and the currant 

 worm and raspberry insects are easily managed. 



As to the cultivation of small fruits necessary to their success, 

 there is but one point I will speak of and that is the policy of 

 mulching. The best mulching in a blackberry field, or rasp- 

 berry field, or any other for that matter, during the summer, that 

 I ever saw is thorough surface cultivation; three or four inches 

 of fine, loose soil on the surface, stirred frequently, is as much 



