145 



A prime factor entering into this question in our lati- 

 tude is the length of time required to grow and ripen both 

 fruit and cane. Certainly we must not take the season 

 of 1891 to guide us in our decision, when three weeks of 

 October have passed and the tenderest plant has not been 

 injured by frost. We think we would be safe in saying 

 that any grape which requires any portion of October to 

 ripen its fruit should be discarded. 



In the average year we have damaging frosts by the 25th 

 of September. The fruit will seldom improve after the 

 foliage has been much chilled. If left on to absorb the 

 frozen sap the fruit will lose its original character and 

 becomes flat and tasteless, decaying in a short time. Any 

 vine which does not ripen its wood in September will run 

 the risk of being winter killed, and should be discarded, 

 or tried as an experiment. 



If one has a well sheltered location or is willing to take 

 the vines down from the trellis in the autumn, cover them 

 with some coarse loose material and put them back each 

 spring, he may succeed. Yet the most of our growers do 

 not take the trouble, therefore should not be advised to 

 put out tender or late ripening vines. The vine usually 

 remains where it grows, and lives or dies according to its 

 power of standing the effects of fierce winds and rapid 

 changing temperature. 



The great majority of New England grape growers raise 

 grapes for their own consumption and not for market. The 

 first consideration is quality and early ripening. Our first 

 vine would be Moore's Ear/i/, which possesses all the good 

 qualities required. Second, Hartford, whose greatest fault 

 is dropping, and can be in a great measure prevented 

 hj free irrigation, while the fruit is ripening, and will im- 

 prove the size and quality of the fruit. Third, Brighton, 

 one of the finest flavored grapes which we have, that will 

 ripen in September. Fourth, Concord, a good grape, hardy 

 and prolific, yet often overtaken by the frost before its 

 fruit is well ripened, therefore uncertain. 



