236 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



enough land to make them interested in farming affairs ; for there is no 

 other way in which they can so much honor industry ; so well preserve and 

 build up their. health or lay deeper tlie foundations of Christianity and 

 Civilization. 



I visited tlie grounds of the Rev. A. S. Hayden, a well-known and pop- 

 ular preacher in Northern Ohio. A few years ago he accepted the place 

 of principal of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, indeed he was a 

 principal founder, and under his instruction, Major-General Garfield, then 

 young, began to unfold his powers — afterward, he became a teacher, and 

 finall}'^, on the resignati(jn of Mr. Ilayden, tlie principal. At the same time, 

 Prof. Wilbur, now secretary of the Illinois History Society, was a teacher, 

 and the three worked harmoniously together. 



Mr. Haj^den's farm is seven miles east of Cleveland. I had not seen him 

 for several years. As I approaclied, I saw him carrying a pail to the barn. 

 I searched for him and found him feeding swill to his hogs, which were 

 kept in a neat, dry pen in the barn. I stood on the steps above; he did not 

 see me; at last I spoke, and asked the farmer how he got along. It was a 

 mutual surprise. He did not look a bit older than ten years before. We 

 remembered much; we had forgotten more. Almost the first thing he did 

 was to show me his grapes, growing in bountiful clusters on the trellis and 

 extended arbors. Through the grounds, and interspersed with these, were 

 boughs bending with beautiful j'ellow peaches. How many men, brought 

 up exclusively to farming, have no such sight to show — no such fruit for 

 their families to enjoy. It is to be added, that horticulture does not inter- 

 fere with the reverend gentleman's sermons. On the contrary, I am sure 

 he is better able to speak by being acquainted with so much that is of in- 

 terest to " men's business and bosoms." Honor to all such literary men. 



Only a few years ago no grapes were seen in this region. Now you see 

 vineyards on rc>ugh and unlevel grounds, and on the side hills, where boys 

 used to hunt for poor strawberries, and where two acres cf land would 

 scarcely keep a sheep, they pick enough grapes to feed and clothe a family 

 and to educate the children. Springing through the flagstones at back 

 doors are Isabella grape-vines; they cover the kitchen and run along the 

 wood-house, often a hundred feet, and here they ijick grapes in large 

 baskets. 



We returned to visit the old home. All but one were living; he sleeps 

 quietly and well. A favorite spot was sought; the ground was no longer 

 familiar; and standing confused where, when a boy, he played, he looked 

 at the grapes on each side and hanging down over his head. Years ago an 

 apple-tree was planted here; the boy watched it when it first bore, and the 

 apples were the reddest and most beautiful of all earthly things. 



On the subject of pruning, many who have started to raise grapes have 

 been in doubt, and often have gone wrong. But one need not go much 

 astray if, steadfastly, he will bear in mind that grapes will not grow on 

 the same wood twice; consequently, that the vine, or the wood, which is 

 to bear fruit next year, must be put in proper condition to do so, by prun- 

 ing, this year. In carrying out the details, there are varieties of opinions, 

 and so various that I do not find an exactly similar treatment in any two 

 distinct localities; still, they all agree upon this main principle. As a rea- 



