38 



Thinning the Fruit. 



Soon after the fruit is set the vines should be gone over, and where 

 there are more bunches than are needed the smaller ones should be 

 taken off, so that the fruit the vine is able to carry will be in as few 

 bunches as possible. 



Spraying. 



For fungous diseases spraying is a preventive rather than a cure, 

 as after the fungous diseases are well started spraying has little effect 

 in checking them. A good spraying with a strong solution of copper 

 sulphate, before the buds start, covering thoroughly the vines and also 

 the posts, often helps out very much the rest of the season. By adding 

 arsenate of lead to this spraying mixture it will help take care of the 

 earlier insects. Just before the blossoms open a spraying of Bordeaux 

 and arsenate of lead should be used, covering the bunches thoroughly. 

 This repels and usually checks the work of the rose bugs. They like 

 to eat the grape blossoms, and are one of the few insects not affected 

 by contact or stomach poisons. Another spraying ten days later is 

 needed, and occasionally a fourth spraying. 



The chief diseases of the grape are anthracnose, " black rot, downy 

 and powdery mildew. The chief insects affecting the grape are the 

 flea beetle, grape-fruit worm, leaf hopper and rose bug. These are 

 usually controlled by the spraying above referred to. 



Marketing. 



Grapes are usually disposed of to the best advantage by marketing 

 as soon as they are well ripened. Moore's Early and Winchell should 

 be disposed of as soon as suitable, as the first is liable to have the fruit 

 shell off and the other loses tone. 



The package should be such as suits the market where they are sold. 

 I use an eight-quart diamond basket, which holds from ten to twelve 

 pounds. 



In years like the present the smaller bunches can be picked before 

 they are quite ripe, and sold for preserving. In local markets there 

 is often considerable call for grapes for that use. 



Prices are not such as were received thirty or forty years ago, but 

 for several years past have ranged from 2^ to 7 cents per pound, aver- 

 aging about 4 cents. 



I usually begin selling in August, and my crop is generally all mar- 

 keted by the 20th of September. I have had no loss from fall frosts 

 since 1893. 



There is many a sheltered nook about buildings or yard where a 

 few vines might be grown. It is always well to keep one's family well 

 supplied with choice fruit. 



