1881.] TKANSACTIONS. 27 



The greatest trouble in grape growing comes from over ma- 

 nuring, and too much moisture. The grape is different from tlie 

 other small fruits we have talked about, in this i-espect. There is 

 very little danger of its suffering from drouth, if the roots and 

 foliage are not destroyed too mueh, in the growing season. 



I have better luck where I mow my weeds often and 

 let them lay on my strong soil, than where 1 cultivate, to 

 kill them. 



I have corresponded with most of the vineyardists in this part 

 of the State ; and the average yield per acre is one and three- 

 fourths tons this season, and the average wholesale price is seven 

 and one-half cents per pound, or two hundred and sixty-two dollars 

 and iifty cents per acre, and this has been an exceptionally poor 

 year — so they all say — the rose bugs having done more damage 

 than usual. Tiie chances are that they will average more than 

 this for the next twenty years, and when a vineyard is once 

 established, if not allowed to overwork itself while an infant, it 

 will last as long as a family. 



There is no fruit, small or large, more surely remunerative, if 

 grapes are grown strictly for food. The natural, or otherwise, 

 enemies of the grape are as easily managed as those of other 

 fruits. I think sometimes that robber birds, pestiferous insects 

 and dare-devil weeds are friends in disguise; they compel us to 

 be vigilant. 



There are several grapes that are desirable to have in all col- 

 lections, old and new, and some new ones that we hope will pay 

 as vineyard grapes. Capt. John B. Moore, of Concord, Mass., has 

 given us one, " Moore's Early," that he has great hopes of, and 

 the Worden, another Concord seedling, is very desirable ; and the 

 Delaware, who would try and get along without it ? or the Aga- 

 wam, or Salem, or Massasoit, or Lindley ? the last two being 

 better than all the others of Rogers Seedling, and though the 

 Worcester County Horticultural Society have left you out in the 

 cold, my old and tried friends, 1 will take you in every time I 

 lind you good and ripe ; and I shall grow the Merrimac, and the 

 Wilder, for I like grapes in February and March as well as in 

 September and October, and the old Diana, the good old winter 

 grape that will keep till May if we let it alone. 



The Brighton ought to be a good vineyard grape, it has done 

 so well for the amateur. Still later we have the Lady and Pren- 

 tiss, two new native white grapes that are spoken well of by 

 those acquainted with them. 



I would like to introduce many more new friends to you, would 

 time and your patience permit, but will close by offering a plea 



