186 



The Grape Culturut. 



MISSISSIPPI VALLEY GRAPE GROWEES' ASSOCIATIOxN— THIRD 



A:NiNUAL MEETING. 



( Concluded.) 



TYING MATERIAL. 



Mr. Colnian — What is the best and 

 most economical material for tying 

 vines ? 



Mr. Ilusmann — The only fit mate- 

 rial for spring tying is the willow ; 

 golden is best, but there are native 

 varieties that will do. 



Dr. Spalding — In the absence of 

 willow, uses the gunny cloth ; is chea- 

 per than to hunt for willow, and will 

 last through the season, but when this 

 is used in spring a little more care is 

 required in summer tjnng. 



Dr. Clagett — For trellis, strings will 

 do, but for stakes, would use Papaw 

 or Linn bark. 



Mr. Edwards — Had used different 

 materials, and found the willow alone 

 suitable for tj'ing to stakes. 



Mr. Squires — Had seen a new plant 

 recommended b}' Professor Shepherd, 

 which he thought would meet this 

 want of grape growers. 



Adjourned till 2 p. M. 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



Mr. Riley, State Entomologist, read 

 a paper on the grape vine borer, and 

 most of the subsequent part of the 

 session was devoted to the discussion 

 of the subject. 



The question of making the fall 

 meeting the annual and only meeting, 

 was discussed. 



Mr. Engleman spoke of the diffi- 

 culty of exhibiting wine in good con- 



dition at that time, owing to the warm 

 weather. 



Dr. Sj)alding — An ice-chest will 

 obviate that. 



After a vote of thanks, for the use 

 of the hall so kindly tendered by the 

 St. Louis Fair Association, and of the 

 substantial to the Janitor, an adjourn- 

 ment was taken to the 2d Wednes- 

 da}^ in September next, in this city, 

 at which time it was agreed to hold 

 an exhibition of both fruit and wines. 



STATISTICAL RETURNS. 



Kansas. — From Kansas we have 

 reports from six vine growers only. 

 Planted in 1869, 2 3-4 acres, and 400 

 vines — 8x8, 6x8 and 8x12. Two years 

 old, 15 1-4 acres ; over two 3'ears, 18 3-4 

 acres. Grapes sold, 1300 pounds, at 

 12 cents and upwards per pound; 560 

 gallons of wine made. LeaveuAvorth, 

 9-10 of crop lost by grasshoppers. At 

 Topeka, some loss by hail. At Man- 

 hattan, 1-10 b}" birds. No rot com- 

 plained of. A large number of vari- 

 eties are under cultivation for trial. 

 Oldest vines, 12 years. Succeed well. 



Illinois. — Reports received from 

 eighteen grape growers, show that 

 there were planted by them in 1869, 

 21,222 vines, at distances varying 

 from 5x5 to 8x10. The largest num- 

 ber planted, 6xQ ; next, 8x8; next, 

 6x8. Vines two years old, 12 acres; 

 also 8,575 vines. Some reporting by 

 acres and others b}^ number of vines. 

 Vines over two years old, 37 acres; 

 also, 32,620 vines. Grapes sold, 26,500 



