To settle this matter beyoud dispute, in 1888 we suggested to Dr. 

 Jabez ITishei', of Fitchburg, the father of grape growing in northern 

 Massachusetts, that he make careful experiments in girdling, noting 

 accurately the results, and that the Hatch Station would make chem- 

 ical analyses of such girdled specimens as he should provide. 



Viues were carefully treated in his vineyard in 1888, but the frost 

 of Sept. 6th destroyed the crop. Again, the past season vines were 

 girdled and samples sent to the station for analysis, the results of 

 which are shown in the following report in Dr. Fisher's own words 

 and in the table o( analysis furnished by Dr. Goessmann. 

 i)K. fisher's kkpokt. 



At the suggestion of Prof. Maynard, I give you the details of 

 an experiment that I made during the past season, to determine the 

 influence exerted by girdling the grape vine. 



July 5, 1 girdled one of the two bearing arms on each of sixty Con- 

 cord grape vines by taking out a ring of bark half an inch long near 

 the trunk of the vine. As a result ihese gra|)es showed color August 

 12th, six days before those on the opposite half of the same vines. 

 They were fit for market September 20th, the berries being then 

 from 30 per cent, to 40 per cent, larger and much sweeter than the 

 others. October 1st they still were sweeter than those not treated, 

 which latter were then ripe, but the first had a somewhat insipid 

 taste without the refreshing sparkle of the others. 



An analysis 'was made by Dr. C. A. Goessmann, chemist of the 

 station, which is here given : 



September aoth. Girdled. Kot Girdled. 



Moisture at 100°C 83.00 per cent. 84.69 i)er cent. 



Ash 42 •• 



Sugar ... 8.13 '^ 6.24 



Soda Sol. required to neutralize 



acid 84.4 C.C. 75 C.C. 



October Ist. 



Moisture at lOO'^C .. 82.69 '' 85.51 



Ash 37 " .53 



Sugar... 8.50 '' 6.09 



Soda Sol. required to neutralize 



acid 50 C.C. 48 C.C. 



The loss of acid at the si'cond period, is the only explanation of 

 the increased sweetness evident to the palate, particularly in those 

 not girdled and unpleasantly in those girdled. 



The results, so far as they are apparent from this trial, show a 

 gain of ten days in fitness for market, with largely increased size of 



