PROCEEDINGS OP THE FARMERS' CLUB. 177 



of well-managed vineyards, and are beginning to plant vines in great num- 

 bers, very many will be disappointed in their expectations in consequence 

 of not fuliilling the conditions of success. The first and greatest cause of 

 failure is that of using the cheapest and, consequently, poorest vines, which 

 are really expensive in comparison with the best, even in the outlay of 

 monej^ before they can be brought into profitable productiveness, to say 

 nothing of the extensive losses that will occur by the death of the plants. 

 Persons cannot know, until after years of trial, how important it is to 

 obtain the right kind of plants to begin with. It lies at the foundation of 

 success, and with such vines as I shall now show you, full success is more 

 easily attainable than in the cultivation of any other fruit, while with very 

 poor vines it is scarcely attainable at all. 



Here are seven grades of vines from single eyes, with very nearly equal 

 intervals of quality, as indicated by their roots and other marks which are 

 clearly apparent to the practiced eye. In describing these grades, I shall 

 make use of the distinctions in common use among nurserymen. 



The highest grade are called "Best Selection," which means that they 

 are selected for remarkable value from the class called Extra, which. I now 

 exhibit. The primary and secondary roots, covered with their fibers and 

 rootlets like a thick head of hair, seem to leave nothing to be desired; but 

 the one which I now hold in my hand is still better and more mature in its 

 development of the same characteristics that are so satisfactory in the one 

 last shown. This is called Best Selection. These are both grown in large 

 pots, to which they were introduced by a long succession of changes, and 

 they can be produced in no other way. We have here a beautiful com- 

 bination of primary and secondary roots, starting from a common center, 

 and spreading in all directions, like rays from the sun. These are the 

 best of all vines, but necessarily somewhat expensive, costing not less than 

 one dollar each to produce them, with the most skillful and unremitting 

 attention added. A calculation based upon facts shows that, by the worth 

 of its fruit over a vine like the one marked No. 3, at three years old, the 

 one of Best Selection, at a cost of one dollar, is cheaper by two dollars than 

 the one marked No. 3 at fifty cents; and at the fourth season the advantage 

 of the Best Selection will be doubled. This is not an exaggerated instance, 

 but a fair representation of every day occurrence. I would repeat the 

 assertion that I am often compelled to make, that the best are emphatically 

 the cheapest, as fully demonstrated by innumerable trials. 



[The reader will understand that Mr. Mead exhibited specimens of the 

 different kinds and grades as he was speaking.] 



Here are the same grades that were begun in pots and finished in the 

 open ground, that have nearly the same value, the roots being larger, and 

 the vines also, but not so hard and fibrous. They had attained a good size 

 in pots before being put out, and have all of the advantage of the trans- 

 planted vines of two years, with the additional advantage of carrying 

 more of their excellence of constitution into immediate effectiveness than 

 is possible with the vines of two years, when planted in place to fruit. 



Here are No. 1 vines for vineyard planting of excellent quality, and 

 Buch as will not cause disappointment; and here are No. 2 and No. 3. AU 



[Am. Inst.] M 



