PROCEEDIXGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 191 



tliose groAvn in Ohio. I think the practice of summer pruning 

 inapplicable to the Isabella variety, and all other strong growing 

 plants. The French or German mode of cultivation does not 

 answer well in this country. 



The Catawba grows its wood more firmly, and admits the Ger- 

 man cultivation better than the Isabella. No grape but one of 

 slow growth will bear to be cultivated entirely on the renewal 

 system. I would put new plants into generous soil, and give 

 them all the growth I could to ripen the wood thoroughly. Still 

 it is not best at any time to drive the growth of a vine too fast. 

 A rapid growing vine, or a vineyard forced by high manuring, 

 will not make as good wine as one of slower growth. The Dela- 

 ware and Rebecca, and some others, are of slow growth. Bones 

 and compost of muck and yard manure are the best fertilizers. I 

 never use guano, nor any very heating manures, such as that 

 from the hen-house or pig-pen. 



John G. Bergen asked, what is the advantage of taking off lat- 

 erals of a very rapid-growing vine ? The doctor answered : to 

 give the fruit more sun and air. I used to do it, but do not of 

 late. Probably a stronger growth is gained in the leader by 

 pinching off the laterals. There is no difficulty in getting a good 

 growth of wood with the Isabella and Catawba. 



The Chairman. — At Cincinnati, the horizontal system is found 

 to be better than the low system. 



Dr. Underbill. — The low system is only good for slow-growing 

 vines. 



Mr. Carpenter said — One of the finest looking arbors that I 

 have seen lately, both of Isabella and Catawba, the vines had 

 been subjected to the most severe summer pruning that I ever 

 saw. They were growing in a very rich border at Harlem. 



Mr. Pardee. — It is a very common thing for the vine pruners 

 of this city to cut away all the wood beyond the two branches of 

 fruit left upon the cane. 



The Chairman inquired for information about the Lenoir grape, 

 which he stated was very hardy, north of this city, and likely to 

 prove a very valuable variety. The fruit is very sweet, the 

 bunches of fair size, and the berries small ; the leaf and wood 

 resemble the Herbemont. Adjourned. 



HENRY MEIGS, Secretary. 



