HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 369 



while small, and their roots will take much nutrition from the 

 soil needed by the apple trees. Never trim for beauty. Hardi- 

 ness is what we are after. Cut off all limbs that rub each other; 

 all dead ones, and remove all blight. In all cases immediately 

 cover the wound with wax. A little trimming may also be done 

 on the north side of the tree to throw the growth to the south 

 side as a means of protection. In closing, I would say that al- 

 though this essay is long, still I see no point that I could have 

 left out, while I do see many, very many more, that might have 

 been added. 



The committee to whom was referred the following essay would 

 report that they have examined it and find that there is no com- 

 petition. As it is a worthy and exhaustive paper we recom- 

 mend that it be awarded first premium, and that the writer be 

 requested to re-write and condense it as much as can be done 

 without detracting from its value before it goes into the hands of 

 the printer. 



J. S. Harris, 

 Chairman of Committee. 



GRAPE GROWING IN MINNESOTA. . 



By Archie JV. Wilcox, Hastings. 



THE GRAPE. 



Species: Vitis labrusca, v. Aestivalis, v. riparia, v. vinifera. 



Of the sixteen American and numerous foreign species I have 

 named, but four are worthy of attention here. From these and 

 their various hybrids we must secure the varieties we cultivate. 

 It is useless and I will not attempt to give a detailed history of 

 the grape except to touch upon the different varieties under an- 

 other head for there is probably no fruit grown of so much value 

 to mankind or so widespread in its commercial or horticultural 

 value. Dating its growth from the earliest antiquity we may 

 safely assume that all our numerous species are derived from the 

 garden of that ancient pomologist, Noah, who planted a vine- 

 yard with the lamentable results recorded in Holy Writ. 



The most essential elements of success with grape growing in 

 Minnesota lie in the capabilities of the grower himself. Being 

 Vol. IV— 47. 



