286 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



dener knows. It cannot be destroyed by being torn into pieces by the 

 plow or harrow ; for its long, rope-like roots — both the I'hizoma, and true 

 roots — reaching from two to six feet below the surface of the ground, swarm 

 with buds, and a short fragment answers the purpose of producing a perfect 

 plant, as well as a potato does a potato plant. 



" Then, if we cannot subdue the thistle by force, we must, Pelissier-like, 

 smother it in its den. And this, luckily, is easily done. Leave the foe 

 alone during the spring, when they, as though thinking they have the field 

 to themselves, will put forth all their forces, and, in June, the strength and 

 vigor of the plant will be above, or near the surface of the ground. Then 

 put a 'green-sward plow' among them, and carefully turn them under in 

 their pride, and you have subdued them. This will uttarly clear them 

 from fields that can be plowed ; and buckwheat or turnips are just in time 

 to take the place of the thistles. Clover is prized for soiling, because the 

 roots bear seed : but thistle roots seem to have no end. E-ocky pastures 

 must smart or prick, unless close mowing before a heavy rain, while the 

 thistles are in blossom, may help them." 



GRAPE CULTURE. 



This was one of the questions of the day, and was called up in preference 

 to any other, for the purpose of getting Dr. Grant, of lona, an island in 

 the Hudson, near Peekskill, to give the Club his views. The Doctor has 

 devoted a great deal of attention to grape culture, and has read all that has 

 been published, and his remarks were listened to with an attention that 

 showed how deep an interest is taken in this question. We can only give 

 a few brief notes of what he said, all of which he illustrated with well exe- 

 cuted drawings, and with real vines. His discourse was one abounding 

 with practical information. Several grape-growers present gathered near 

 to catch every word, often putting questions that elicited valuable infor- 

 mation. 



Pruning. — Cut ofi" the first year's growth above two buds, and next year 

 cut back so as to leave two buds of that year's growth. In nature a vine 

 grows both branch and roots to a great length, before bearing fruit, as it 

 can bear no fruit until its leaves and branches reach the air and sun at the 

 top of the tree. In cultivation we must train vines to new habits. We 

 cannot depend upon any but native varieties. A well grown vine will reach 

 five or six feet the first year, and ten or twelve feet the second year, and 

 its success as a bearer will mainly depend upon the manner of training, and 

 pruning it the first year. No untrimmed vine can remain healthy and be 

 productive. Fruit buds grow upon the same branches but once. Ten feet 

 square of ground is required for a root, and six or seven times that for the 

 vine. Mildew is the great enemy to contend with, and the vine must have 

 air and vigorous growth, for that tends to prevent mildew, and it must 

 have room so as to expose every leaf to the sun. On the third year two 

 bunches to a cane, or branch, is all that can be grown to perfection ; all 

 others must be plucked off. The leaves naturally develop themselves to 



