l^INDFALLS. 



571 



pect the same man to ease his conscience from any little 

 dishonorable act by the plea that he had not promised not 

 to do it. Our package manufacturers come in for a 

 share of the blame, as they have, to a certain extent, 

 aided in the deception by manufacturing the "snide'' 

 package. They will say that they cannot control the 

 people's wishes in the matter, and they are in the busi- 

 ness to make anything the people want. That is, to a 

 certain extent, true, but the best information we can 

 get is to the effect that nearly every change in the size 

 or style of package is first made by the manufacturer, 

 and offered for our adoption, even without a demand, 

 and we all know they are constantly making changes in 

 the style and form of packages ; and one idea seems to 

 run through all the work, and that is to make them a 

 little scant measure. The majority of our farmers 

 seem to think that a barrel is a barrel, even if it is not 

 more than two-thirds grown, and the same idea prevails 

 in regard to a quart box. 



FOURTH-OF-JULY ApPLE ; 



Appeals have been made time and again to the hones- 

 ty and good sense of our growers to discontinue the use 

 of such packages, and the practice of " stuffing," or dis- 

 honest packing, but so far it has accomplished but little. 

 It pays to be honest in fruit growing and packing, for 

 the slightest trickery is detected instantly by the shrewd 

 buyer, and he promptly knocks off enough from the 

 price to protect himself ; the grower has to stand it. 

 — R. Morrill, before West Michigan Friiii Growers . 



Green Mountain Grape. — Mr. Dubois, in his criti- 

 cism of the above grape, (page 393) is rather severe, 

 and not very fair, considering he has not had any expe- 

 rience with it. True, he says he saw the fruit, but he 

 does not inform us if he tasted it. He finds fault in 

 that it did not look like a hot-house grape. Having 

 grown and fruited the grape in question, I can assure 

 Mr. Dubois that in looks there is a decided resemblance 



to the old white Sweet Water. Its greatest recommen' 

 dation, however, and a very important one in comparison 

 with any other out-door grape (that I am acquainted 

 with), is the entire absence of that tough pulp so com- 

 mon to almost all of our native grapes. A three year 

 old vine with me last year had 14 bunches, of medium 

 size and very compact, quite the reverse of straggling, 

 as Mr. Dubois asserts those were he saw. Berries me- 

 dium, color pale pea green and of a peculiar but very 

 pleasant delicious flavor. The vine is a good grower, 

 and free from mildew so far, and so hardy that scarcely 

 an inch of the tips of the vines were injured last winter' 

 although the thermometer went several times below zero. 

 I have no interest whatever in lauding this grape ; I mere- 

 ly state facts for the benefit of others. Whatever its 

 name may be I can assure the would-be purchaser that 

 it is a good and very early grape, and when once known 

 is sure to be appreciated and largely planted by careful 

 growers. — John Dallas, Faii- field Co., Conn. 



FROM Norfolk, Va. 



Cutting out Old Raspberry Canes. — Although 

 rather late, I have been cutting out the old bearing 

 canes from my raspberries. This should have been 

 done right after the the last picking, some two weeks 

 ago, so that the new growth would have plenty of room. 

 My "caps" are the Progress, Earhart and Palmer. 

 The young growth is quite rank, with branches extending 

 over the whole six feet allotted them, showing that they 

 need more space between rows so as to have room to 

 prune properly and give room for fall cultivation. It is 

 thought that removing the old canes leaves the new 

 growth more exposed to the action of the wind, by which 

 they are liable to be broken off and destroyed. Some 

 growers think that the leaf of the old canes has much 

 to do in the growth of the young canes that are to bear 

 fruit the following season. To look at my young canes 

 now one would thnik they have all the leaves that they 



