REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FRUITS. 247 



appearance, tbey would give up the cultivation of this fruit, on 

 account of the competition and low prices prevailing when the 

 crop matures naturally and grapes are sent to this market in 

 large quantities from locations outside the State. The prac- 

 tice of girdling is worthy of the attention of amateur growers, 

 as by its application and by spraying the vines with the copper 

 solutions or Bordeaux mixture the crosses with foreign varieties, 

 which are more subject to mildew than pure natives, maj' be suc- 

 cessfully grown. Girdling is not adapted to varieties having com- 

 pact bunches, like Moore's Early and Delaware, as the increased 

 size of the berries causes cracking and decay ; but the value of 

 the Concord and Worden, the two kinds of dark grapes most 

 widely cultivated, may be increased by the operation. 



Strawberries came through tlie winter in good condition, but 

 iet their fruit irregularly, some varieties being affected more than 

 others and producing but a partial crop. At the Strawberry 

 P^xhibition some excellent fruit was shown, the Marshall easily 

 taking the lead as an exhibition variety. This is the first season 

 growers for market have given any considerable space to this 

 variety, and the complaint was made that it did not prove as pro- 

 ductive as some other kinds. Possibly the peculiarit}- of the 

 season had something to do with this result, but its large size, 

 superior quality, and fine appearance will make it desirable for 

 the garden, and further experience may make it profitable for the 

 commercial grower. It evidently requires rich soil and high cul- 

 tivation to secure satisfactory results. 



The public showed a growing interest in the exhibitions through- 

 out the season by an increased attendance ; these exhibitions afford 

 those interested in fruit growing the best opportunity to learn by 

 comparison the most desirable varieties for cultivation. 



The prices received by fruit growers for their product has been, 

 like the crop, unusually irregular. As a result of the over supply 

 of apples for the home market, a larger quantity has been sent to 

 foreign ports than in any previous year, and the returns from the 

 earlier shipments were often unsatisfactor;,'. Pears, owing to the 

 short crop, brought higher prices than have prevailed in recent 

 years. The small fruits brought fair prices and met with a ready 

 sale. 



George W. Campbell, Delaware, O., has entered his new grape, 

 Campbell's Early, for the Special Prize offered from the Benjamin 



