190 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



in the fall of 1860, it having' made one season's growth. It was planted 

 immediately in naturally well drained soil, after having been prepared by 

 digging a hole six feet across and two feet deep, and refilled by placing 

 soil that was originally on top at the bottom, and the vine well protected 

 by covering for the winter. 



"In 18G1, it made a moderate growth. 



"In the spring of 1862, part of the growth of the previous year was laid 

 down for the purpose of propagating vines, and I took away several good 

 layers. 



"In the spring of 1863, part of the previous j'ear's growth was laid down 

 for the same object as before, and last spring (1864) I took away fifteen 

 vines, (laj^ers,) each of which I should rather have than mine when 'first 

 received. 



" 1864. — The vine was trimmed to two canes, each about two feet in 

 length, and tied horizontally to stakes, and received no pruning of any kind 

 during the growth of the past season, and grew sp far beyond my expecta- 

 tions that I took pains to measure, and find it to be the following, of well- 

 ripened wood, exclusive of laterals: Eleven canes, ten feet each, one hund- 

 red and ten; seven canes, nine feet each, sixty-three; two canes, seven feet 

 each, fourteen; three canes, six feet each, eighteen; two canes, five feet 

 each, ten. Total, twenty-five canes, two hundred and fifteen feet, besides 

 fifty-five bunches of grapes." 



Mr. John G. Bergen. — With me the Delaware vines which I have pur- 

 chased and planted on my place, near Brooklj'n, have always made a very 

 slow growth, while vines which I have obtained from layers have generally 

 made a very rapid growth. My Clinton vines have borne four years, two 

 of which they have rotted badly, I think, on an average, two-thirds of eveiy 

 bunch. In 1864 they bore a generous crop, and did not rot as much, per- 

 haps not more than one-third of every bunch. I have pruned my vines, but 

 if they will do better untrirnrned, it is an important fact which ought to be 

 generally known. 



Mr. Dodge said he had found his Clinton vines very rampant growers, 

 very haidy and fruitful, and not rotting much. 



Will Sorghum Kill Cattle. 



Mr. Robert Means, near Buffalo, Scott Co., Iowa, says: "I saw, about 

 two years ago, about four acres of sorghum, that had been cut the previous 

 autumn, stripped and put in close sho(»ks for shelter ready for manufactur- 

 ing, but was left in that condition in the field, wliere a number of cattle on 

 the farm had access to it all through the winter, and none of tliem appeared 

 to be injured by the use of it in any way. It is stated, by a man from 

 Summit county, who fed a cow liberally one evening on suckers which he 

 pulled from his sugar-cane, that the next morning she was dead. I am well 

 acquainted with a practical farmer who states to me that he has fed sorghum 

 suckers to his cows giving milk from three to four weeks, and that the 

 quantity and quality of milk was very materially increased. The butter 

 made from the milk was very rich. It was entered at the county fair, where 

 it took the first premium, and the only objection that was made by the com- 

 mittee was that it was almost too sweet. The butter had a very rich color. 



