374 ANNUAL REPORT 



ground with three No 9 galvanized wires, for I know this form 

 is superseding all others amoug the most intelligent grape grow- 

 ers of Michigan. 



To make this trellis, use pieces of 2x4 four feet long nailed on 

 top of strong posts in the form of a letter T; set these twenty- 

 four feet apart and of a uniform height; upon these stretch three 

 wires, one in the centre and one at the end of each arm; this may 

 be done with long wires permanently, or as some prefer by cut- 

 ting the wires one foot longer than the distance between posts 

 and twisting a loop in each end and fastening to each post with 

 small staples so they can lay down each length separately with 

 the vines if desirable. 



Train the vines to the centre wire and the laterals will reach 

 out over the sides like an arbor, while the fruit will hang at a 

 desirable height overhead, protected by the leaves and in the 

 best possible position to receive any attention it requires. 



The additional height from the ground is a great advantage in 

 locations subject to mildew and rot, while the artistic beauty of 

 a vineyard so arranged can not be surpassed. 



VARIETIES. 



There is no operation in grape growing on which the success 

 or failure of the vineyard more certainly depends than selecting 

 suitable varieties for planting. More than half of the vines in 

 cultivation about Hastings are worthless and it is safe to say 

 nine out of ten of the kinds recommended in the catalogues of 

 eastern nurserymen are of no value here. 



The ideal grape for this state will yet be produced; meanwhile 

 we should plant the Concord or Worden for the main crop, the 

 latter being a little the earliest and best. Moore's Early and De- 

 laware are both losing ground in other places but do well here; 

 while the Brighton and Niagara are both gaining in popular 

 favor. 



I would plant in the order named: Worden, Concord and 

 Moore's Early for black; Brighton, Lindley and Delaware for 

 red, and Niagara, Lady and Martha for white, with as many of 

 the new highly praised varieties as I could afford to spend my 

 time on, and money with. The Lindley, like others of Rogers hy- 

 brids, should be planted next to other perfect flowering varieties 

 to insure its productiveness. Clinton and Janesville are better 

 than none for a farmer in the extreme north when all others 

 would fail. 



