GRAPES. 219 



to engage in so respectable and honorable a calling as the cultivation of 

 the grape, which could engage the attention of a Solomon, and of many of 

 you members of the Minnesota Horticultural Society who perhaps may 

 not claim the possession of so much wisdom as Solomon had. 



Many of you may think from my digression from the subject assigned to 

 me that I shall endeavor to palm off on this meeting a treatise on some 

 of the favorite varieties of Solomon's time as new varieties, so I shall rig- 

 idly adhere to my subject. 



Always having been an ardent lover of horticultural pursuits, I some 

 five years since determined to plant a vineyard on Lake Minnetonka as a 

 matter of pleasure to myself, but I hoped of some profit to a relative who 

 resides within about one mile of the hall where you held your last meet- 

 ing. The resolution has been carried out and has resulted in some ex- 

 perience which I am quite willing to give this society the benefit of. 



As is the case with all amateurs in an undertaking my efforts were, in a 

 measure, experimental and I was desirous of planting as many new 

 varieties as I from inquiries concluded were meritorious. Asa result the 

 members of great experience in this society will, I fear, conclude that my 

 efforts have resulted in giving me more amusement than my relative has 

 derived profit and I shall not deny that such has been the result, though 

 I insist that my selections are generally such as are of general worth and 

 value. 



To the energetic co-operation of my relative, however, allow me to 

 render the credit of making my efforts such a practical success as has 

 been attained. 



The number planted has been somewhat upward of 1,600 vines of which 

 600 are the reliable and universal favorite, the Delaware. Among the 

 newer varieties I will name in the order I deem of greatest value, as by 

 observation and further acquaintance I have distinguished their char- 

 acteristics and adaptability to our rigorous climate. 



First in quality of fruit, in productiveness, in hardiness of vine and 

 freedom from disease, of vine or fruit is thePoughkeepsieRed, a grape orig- 

 inated by A. J.Caywood, of Marlborough, New York. The fruit in appear- 

 ance much resembles the Delaware from which it was produced by 

 fertilization with the Iona. The fruit is somewhat greener in appearance 

 when ripe than the Delaware, larger in bunch, shouldered, ripens fully 

 one week early than the Delaware, and by most who have tasted the fruit 

 preferred to the latter variety. 



The season of '88 when the foliage of the Delaware was so badly affected 

 by the wet, cool and rainy weather of July, resulting in what I termed 

 blight, when the fruit of the Delaware did not ripen, the foliage of the 

 Poughkeepsie was healthy, the fruit ripened perfectly and neither vine, 

 fruit or foliage seemed to be in any way injuriously affected by the unfav- 

 orable conditions. 



In my judgment I next place as one of the best of the new varieties the 

 Ulster Prolific, originated by the same person last mentioned by fertiliz- 

 ing the Catawba with the common frost grape of the forest( Vitis Cordifolia.) 

 The fruit of this variety is of a perfect copper color, ripens somewhat 

 earlier than the Concord, is hardy, healthy and an excellent accession to 

 the list of our new grapes. The vine and foliage of this variety also 

 proved themselves proof against the unfavorable season of 1888. 



