320 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Mr. Yancey: The Moore's Early is really my favorite as I 

 have never failed in getting a fair crop at least. Yet I agree 

 with most all that has been said by the other gentlemen in re- 

 gard to it. 



President Underwood : We have with us a gentleman from 

 Sparta, Wis., who is very successful in the culture of black- 

 berry. I understand he is also postmaster of that place. I do 

 not know whether his official capacity makes him successful in 

 blackberry growing or not, but I would like to have Mr. 

 Fisher tell us about his blackberry patch. 



Mr. Fisher: I don't know who has put you up to call on 

 me, I am sure. Now, I am here to listen to-day. I am not a 

 talker and I would like to be excused. I will say I have been 

 very much interested in your discussions and it has afforded 

 me a great deal of pleasure to be with you. 



REPORT ON GRA.PES. 

 dan'l. buck, mankato. 



Circumstances beyond my control make it impossible for me to make 

 more than a brief report. My experience for many years in raising- grapes 

 is contained in the article entitled "Grapes" on page 280 of your report for 

 1892. 



During the past year grape vines in this yicinity were free from disease. 

 While some vineyards, bore heavy crops of grapes, others were only moder- 

 ately productive. The Delaware, however, seemed to bear heavily in all 

 vineyards, and were the grapes a little larger it would be difficult to find 

 its superior, everything considered. With me no disease has ever at- 

 tacked it. While searching for new varieties, we should not overlook the 

 great merits of this splendid grape. Further experience leads me to be- 

 lieve that severe summer pruning is unnecessary. This statement may 

 draw out criticism, but 1 believe that close summer pruning is not only 

 unnecessary, but with the exception of pinching back a few of the most 

 rampant vines, is injurious, and is a source of a great deal of care and 

 vexation. Severe fall pruning and moderate summer pruning I believe 

 to be the better rule. 



There are some drawbacks to our growing grapes in Minnesota, but I 

 believe that grapes have less insects and diseases here than in most of the 

 other states. Last winter I spent several weeks in Florida, and as time 

 hung heavily on my hands I pruned about 100 grape vines for a friend, and 

 had an opportunity of examining the growth and condition of the vine. 

 Vines several years old were covered with insects, large numbers of them 

 hidden under the bark, and the vines were not vigorous or thrifty. 

 Many of our northern grape vines do not thrive well there and yet many 

 do exceedingly well, especially the Niagara and Lindley. But the Scupper- 

 nong grape vine there is a sight worth seeing. In a few years it grows sev- 



