PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 203 



pruned, trimmed low, and not allowed to bear all the fruit that sets. It 

 may also be necessary to lay down the vines in winter. I have seen all 

 these sorts ripen in the northern part of this State. I cannot give the 

 exact time of ripening* at the point indicated by the writer of the letter 

 just read. In this vicinity, Delaware and Hartford Prolific ripens from 

 August 25th to September 15th ; the first generally from the Ist to the 

 10th. Concord ripens from September 10th to 20th, and Diana, if it ever 

 ripens (which it seldom does), should be ripe with the Concord. Allen's 

 Hybrid ripens September 1st to 15th ; so does the Creveling, which is a 

 very good grape. The Diana I would not recommend to anybody, because 

 it does not ripen one year in ten to give satisfaction to any one, not even 

 a careful nurseryman, much more to people who are not careful. It is a 

 good kind of grape when properly grown and fully ripe ; but is there a 

 man or wnman in this town who ever saw it in that condition. I denounced 

 the Diana three years ago as unfit for general cultivation, and was de- 

 nounced in turn by those who had read some extravagant accounts of its 

 perfections. I have not changed my opinions. Others have. I know a 

 grejit many who have tried to grow the Diana who are dissatisfied. I 

 noticed in the grape shows this year a few bunches of well-ripened fruit, 

 but the most of those exhibited, and of course the best that could be 

 selected, showed many green berries mixed through the bunches. Why 

 should we try to grow a variety that will not ripen, while we have so 

 many that will ? One of the strongest objections to the Diana is its 

 remarkable odor, which reminds one of cats, until it is very ripe, when tlte 

 odor disappears. 



Dr. Trimble said that the most important thing to be considered by those 

 who desire to ripen grapes, is not the exact time laid down for their ripen- 

 ing, which always varies with circumstances, but " How shall I keep my 

 vines healthy?" Because we do know that healthy vines will produce 

 good fruit here about every season. 



The Rev. Mr. Weaver, who devoted a good deal of attention to fruit at 

 Fordham, a few miles north of the city, corroborated Mr. Fuller's opinion 

 of the Diana ; he had never succeeded in ripening this variety with any 

 satisfaction. He wanted to inquire of Mr. Fuller if two-year-old vines 

 should ever be allowed to bear fruit ? Mr. Fuller answered only one or 

 two bunches, just to test the kind and quality. 



Mr, R. G. Pardee. — I have yet to learn that the grape, under proper cultiva- 

 tion and soil, is liable to mildew. I have grown some thirty varieties, and 

 have not been troubled with it. 



, Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — The Diana is not a good grape, I have dis- 

 carded it from my vineyard ; it has a strong musky smell ; still I have 

 eaten them grown in this city that were a passable grape. 



Management of Hat in Mow or Stack. 



Mr. S. M. Root, Pittsfield, Loi-ain county, Ohio, wants the Club to die- 

 cuss the above question. He says : " I find by traveling the country that 

 there is a great diversity of opinion on this subject, at least one would so 

 iudge from the fact that some stock raisers cut down their mows of hay in 



