REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 347 



Vineyards. 



No premiums ever ofifered by the Society in the Garden Com- 

 mittee's department have been so well competed for as those for 

 the culture of Grapes. 



We received invitations to visit the vineyards of A. J. Bigelow 

 of Marlboro ; G. B. Andrews, Pearl Hill Farm, Fitchburg ; E. C. 

 Rice, Sunderland ; and Henry Derby, Concord. The applications 

 of the two gentlemen last named came too late for competi- 

 tion, according to the rules. 



While on our way to Mr. Andrews's we took a hurried glance 

 at the vineyard of Dr. Jabez Fisher ; who gave us a very cordial 

 reception. To say that his vineyard is a model of neatness and 

 successful cultivation is only repeating what we all have often 

 heard. The fine condition of his vines and the vevy even and ex- 

 cellent crop of fruit gave abundant evidence that a master work- 

 man had bestowed upon them his best efforts. We hope at some 

 future time to be able to lay before the Society a more extended 

 account of this fine vineyard. 



The statements of Mr. Andrews and Mr. Bigelow, here included, 

 will be quite sufficient to bring out their ideas of vine culture 

 without any introductory remarks. 



Statement of George B. Andrews. 



Fitchburg, September 16, 1886. 



John G. Barker^ Chairman of the Committee on Gardens, Massa- 

 chusetts Horticultural Society : — 

 Dear Sir : 



At your request I submit to your Committee the following 

 statement concerning my vineyard. The vineyard that I enter for 

 your premium contains 3800 vines of from one to fifteen years' 

 planting ; 2500 of them are Concords, 2000 of which are in bear- 

 ing and have been giving me fine crops for a number of years. 

 Last year I harvested ten and a half tons of fine grapes from the 

 '2000 vines. 



My vineyard is situated on the south-east side of what is called 

 " Pearl Hill," and is several hundred feet above any standing 

 water, which I consider one of the most important points for a 

 good vineyard. The soil is a good loam with what we call a hard 



