FRUIT committee's REPORT. 35 



the trellis, let it slant obliquely at an angle of 45°. Two advantages result 

 from this, the tendency of the sap to the top of the vine is considerably 

 checked, and also the vine is in an easy position to be bent to the ground 

 again in the fall. The trellis should run east and west, in order that the 

 morning and evening sun may shine through the rows, and yet the foliage 

 may shade the ground when the sun is in the meridian. This method for short 

 jointed varieties with rather thin foliage. But there is danger that trellises of 

 this height and distance, covered with the luxuriant foliage of some of our na- 

 tive varieties, will prevent a free circulation of air ; dampness, mould, mildew, 

 black rot and barrenness, are the natural consequences. The evil may be rem- 

 edied to an extent by increasing the distance of the trellis. Yet I am in- 

 clined to think that for such long jointed kinds as the Concord, a more free 

 circulation may be obtained, and a greater check to upward growth be given, 

 by training each vine spirally to posts from six to eight feet high. The ad- 

 vantages of this method are very considerable, but too apparent to require 

 mentioning. Three objections stand against it. First — It is considerably 

 more expensive to procure and plant good sized durable posts for each vine; 

 yet if the plan is decidedly better, the objection is answered. Second — The 

 want of support for the laterals and the fruit, is an evil. It can be obviated 

 to a considerable extent by bending the laterals, and supporting the fruit 

 when found necessary with a tie to the cane; still this is never so simple and 

 easy as on a trellis. 



" In regard to the third objection, that when the vines become old and stiff 

 it may prove difficult to uncoil and bend to the ground for covering, my ex- 

 perience will not allow me to speak positively. Of course, it will be a more 

 difficult work than by the former method, and will require to be done very 

 carefully, and upon warm days when the wood is flexible. With care I do 

 not doubt it may be done until the cane becomes of such an age and stiff- 

 ness as to require renewal for its own good. 



" Confining myself strictly to the subject given, ' my method of trainino" 

 the vine ' which does not include even summer pinching or fall pruning, 

 I believe I have said all which I have to say. In return, let me ask you the 

 question which I have so often asked you before. If our fences, fields, and 

 woods of Massachusetts are so spontaneously supplied with luxuriant native 

 vines, in such excess of most other kinds of wild fruit, why, in the name 

 of reason, why may we not expect by cultivation to obtain extensive planta- 

 tions producing an abundance of good table fruit .^ How few wild peach, 

 or plum, or cherry, or even pear trees, do we find in comparison with the 

 grape ? Yet, in contrast, how few cultivated vines in comparison with 

 pears ? " 



There are two or three varieties of apples, that have now been for some 

 years in cultivation, to which it is felt that the attention of the Society may 

 be asked, as being worthy of notice. Among such is the Washington, an 

 apple of large size, great beauty, and fine quality, that, as an autumn apple, 



