SECRETARY'S REPORT. 103 



are impressed with incipient change by stimulant composts or 

 modes of culture applied to the parent vine, is an interesting 

 subject of inquiry, but we cannot enter upon it here, though 

 the subject is enticing, for want of space. 



" I would strongly advise those who purpose to raise seedling 

 grapes not to go back to the wild vine, but to commence witii 

 seeds of new varieties having the characteristics of vigor, earli- 

 iiess, etc., which they desire in the offspring. Plant the grapes 

 whole, in rows to facilitate weeding ; the placenta like substance 

 which surrounds the seed in the whole grape nourishes the seed 

 and promotes its vegetative power ; it is important also that 

 the tender seedling should suffer no check. Shade it from the 

 hot sun, and water if necessary until it gets three or four of its 

 rough leaves, after which it may be considered safe ; plant one 

 inch deep, and keep down all weeds. 



" When the seedlings have grown one year, lift them out of the 

 bed without disturbing the level of the ground, and thereby bury- 

 ing the seeds which have not sprouted during the first season, 

 for they will many of them grow in the second year. This can 

 easily be done if the bed is thoroughly saturated with water, 

 when with the aid of a fork you can draw out the plants with 

 care without breaking a single root. 



" The second year another crop will come up ; these will give 

 a much larger proportion of bearing vines. These are lifted in 

 the same way with the first, to make room for the third crop ; 

 these last I save with the utmost care, as they will show the 

 greatest improvement. 



" When these seedlings are planted out they should be put into 

 soil enriched with bone-dust, ashes and gypsum; these fertil- 

 izers I consider indispensable to the grape. Stable manures 

 induce a luxuriant growth of wood, but are apt to give a las 

 tissue to the wood, and should be used with caution, if at all. 

 I prefer the mineral manures alone. 



" Do not reject too hastily the vine at its first fruiting, for the 

 size and quality of the fruit will improve for years ; the grape 

 vine does not reach its best estate until seven or eight years 

 after planting. I do not prune the seedling vine except to give 

 it shape, but pinch in any branch which may be growing too 

 rampant. These seedlings will not bear until the fifth or sixth 

 year from the time of planting the seed." 



