e 



THE WESTERN POMOLOGIST. 



1871 



the early grapes, although from the 19th of May to 

 the 16th of June it was very wet, there being 8.08 

 Inches of rain, which in a few instances produced 

 the rot, but a timely change checked its further 

 progress. But the latter part of the season was 

 very favorable, for from the seeding of the Concord 

 grape, June the 23d, until its maturity, August the 

 6th, there was but 3.30 inches of rain, being 3.48 

 less than any record here since 1860, and for the 

 same period of 45 days, the mean temperature was 

 80.5 degrees, being 4 degrees above the average, and 

 from 135 regular observations made, there were but 

 six that the sky was entirely over-cast with clouds. 



As we have before shown that a high tempera- 

 ture with little rain aud a clear sky during the 

 maturing season, was favorable to the formation of 

 saccharine matter, aud would produce grapes of the 

 best quality, so this season has been remarkable in 

 that respect. Never before have we seen the Con- 

 cord grape ripen so soon, and of such excellent 

 quality. • 



But while the season was favorable to ripening of 

 the early grapes, it w«s unfavorable to the maturity 

 of the late grapes, as the latter part of August and 

 all of September were exlremelj' wet and cloudy, 

 there being 13.81 inches of rain from the 8th of 

 August to the end of September. Although the 

 mean temperature for that whole period was 70 de- 

 grees, being above the average, yet it was uot.saffi- 

 cient, under the above conditions of humidity and 

 cloudiness, to evenly and thoroughly ripen the 

 Catawba grape, which is au additional proof of 

 what we have before remarked, that a high tem- 

 perature and diminished rain-fall arc necessary for 

 the perfection of the grape, which the following 

 illustrations will fully demonstrate : 



In 1869 it required one hundred aud thirty-three 

 days, at a mean temperature of 70.5 degrees, from 

 foliation to the matnrity of the Concord grape, 

 being equal to 9.355 degrees of total heat, with a 

 rain-fall of 31.60 inches ; while in 1870 it required 

 but 111 days at a mean temperature of 73.6 degrees, 

 being equal to 8.188 degrees of heat with a rain-fall 

 of but 13.60 inches, being 21 days less in time, 1.167 

 degrees less in heat, with 18 inches less rain, and 

 the quality and perfection of the grape was in like 

 proportion. 



Although the past season has proved disastrous 

 to the fruit growers of Kansas, we should not be 

 discouraged, as this is the first case of failure since 

 the settlement of the country. 



We have a climate mild and genial, a soil rich 

 and diversified, a landscape undulating and unsur- 

 passed, with every aspect of hill and dale, gentle 

 slopes, high elevations with natural benches and 

 terraces. No other country can lay claims to more 

 than what nature has done for us aud if any is enti- 

 tled to the appellation of Eden, it is Kansas. 



Contemplate a country just born into existence, 

 (scarcely fifteen years since unknown except by its 

 forts and fortifications for protecting the immigrant 

 from the wild and savage Indian,) now blooming 

 with its productions as the rose ; — whose fruit stands 

 unriv.alled in size, beauty and excellence ! 



Not simply the honor of being awarded the Oold 

 Medal, but the fact of her fruit being made the stand- 

 ard of size, beauty and excellence', is the greai glory of 

 Kansas 



This society may justly be proud of what it has 

 achieved. It is not four years since the first nucleus 

 commenced, whose germ embraced but two individ- 

 uals within our own atmosphere. Now it is hon- 

 ored by the highest compliments ever bcitawed 

 upen any Horticultural Society, and is looked to 

 with more interest than any other. 



That we may continue the good work so nobly 

 commenced, is our sincere desire. 



J. Staysian, Committee. 



Leavenworth, December, 1870. 



For the Western Pomologiet. 



Horticulture and Home Culture. 



Bt C. Andrbivs, Marengo, III. 



In this practical and money-getting age, we are in 

 danger of being cursed with a class of horticulturists 

 who regard the calling only in the narrow and mer- 

 cenary view of a mere money-making pursuit. 



In a country like ours, where there are no privil- 

 eged classes, and scarcely any class too poor to 

 grow fruit to some extent, horticulture should not 

 be regarded as a profession for the few, but an art 

 to be learned and practiced by all. It is high time 

 that this mere mercenary spirit should be shamed 

 out of the men who hold high positions in horticul- 

 tural influence. While the accumulation of material 

 wealth is without question, the basis of all improve- 

 ment, yet there are other and higher objects which 

 should be held sacred in connection with every 

 calling, and which for decency's sake, if nothing 

 more, should not be ignored by those who assume 

 to lead public sentiment. 



We have no desire to bring personalities into the 

 discussion of horticultural topics. The vindication 

 of Science, however, sometimes necessitates per- 

 sonal allusions. Great men have been known to 

 indulge even in offensive personalities — a domain 

 we shall most studiously avoid entering. But when 

 men who have the eye and ear of the public, make 

 statements in opposition to the welfare of large sec- 

 tions and classes, it is but just that they and their 

 sophistries should bo shown up. 



Dr. Hull, of Alton, and ' Rural," of the Chicago 

 Tribune, both monoplize departments in widely read 

 journals ; neither of whom admit any reply or dis- 

 cussion on points connected with their peculiar 



