THE RUSHIRE FRUIT FARM, IONIA, MICH. 
25 
so that close pruning and thinning one year 
with another is the only way to secure con- 
tinued large crops. If the vines are to be 
used for propagating they should not be 
allowed to bear over one-third the above in 
any year. 
It i.s a great mistake to train the vine 
so low as to densely shade the ground. It 
invites mildew and rot. They delight in 
sunshine and plenty of dry air. 
Cultivate frequently and nearly up to 
the time the fruit begins to color. 
VARIETIES OF GRAPES. 
There are too many varieties that arc not 
especially valuable. We describe a few of 
those we regard as the cream of the list; 
Black Grapes. 
It may be said that the introduction of the 
Concord was the beginning of successful 
grape culture in this country. It succeeds 
everywhere a grape can be grown. It is yet 
the leading market variety and too well 
known to need description, but in many 
localities is giving way to the 
Worden, which I believe is the richest 
and sweetest black grape grown in this 
country. Perfectly hardy, fully as produc- 
tive as Concord, larger berry and cluster, 
and a week or ten days earlier. They are 
gone before Concord arrives. 
Moore'.s Early is one of the best extra 
early grapes, ripening fully two weeks 
ahead of Concord. The berry is very large, 
entirely hardy and on rich soil very produc- 
tive. It is generally all gone before Worden 
comes in. Must have very heavy strong, 
rich soil. 
Talinau ( or Cbampiou ) is a prolific 
and profitable extra early market grape, 
ripens about the time of Moore's Early. 
Flesh sweet, juicy, and a rank grower. 
Healthy, hardy and vigorous. 
Clinton. Bunch medium, shouldered, 
long and narrow. Berries round, medium 
size, covered with thick bloom. Colors 
early, but does not fully ripen until quite 
late. The pulp is a little tough, but has a 
rich, vinous flavor. 
Mills is a new grape, vigorous and 
healthy. Ripens with Concord. Bunch and 
berries very large and quality superior. 
Rocltwood ripens with Moore's Early. 
Large size, healthy and hardy. 
Wilder ( Rogers No. 4. ) Bunch 
and berry large, early, hardy, healthy, and 
productive; good keeper, profitable, and of 
excellent ([uality. 
Tlie Early Ohio. This is the earliest 
black grape known. Ripens ten days to 
two weeks before Moore's Early. Bunch 
large, compact and shouldered; berry medi- 
um, covered with a heavy bloom. Leaves 
very large, thick, leathery. Foliage heavy 
and perfectly 'healthy, and fully as hardy as 
Concord. A vigorous g^rower, very produc- 
tive, and of good quality. Berries adhere 
firmly to the stem. One of the best shippers 
and the only early grape that will not shell 
from the stem. It's the early grape that 
catches the high prices, and those who set 
of this variety will reap a harvest. 
The Hosford. This grape was discov- 
ered in a vineyard of Concords by Mr. 
George Hosford near this city. The seed 
had fallen between two branches of a vine 
in such a manner that it was protected from 
the hoe and cultivator and was supposed to 
be a renewal shoot, as Mr. Hosford practiced 
that mode of culture. When it came into 
fruitage it quickly attracted attention, and 
cuttings were made and subsequently the 
vine was taken up and removed, showing 
conclusively that it was a seedling of the 
Concord. 
It has all the hardiness, productiveness 
and vigor of that sterling old variety. The 
berries and clusters are fully double the size 
of the Concord, single berries often being 
found exceeding an inch and a quarter in 
diameter. It is superior in flavor and ship- 
ping qualities. The leaves are large and 
leathery, and although other grapes in the 
immediate vicinity have suffered much from 
mildew, this has been entirely free from it 
and has never been injured by the cold. 
The leading nurserymen of the country 
have made attempts to secure control of 
the vines for dissemination, but Mr. Hosford 
refused to part with any vines or its wood 
for less than thirty thousand dollars, a sum 
quite beyond the reach of the ordinary 
nurseryman; but last year the entire stock 
was placed in our hands and is now offered 
to the public without restriction. It has 
been fruited and tested by Mr. Hosford for 
nineteen years, and he now has a vineyard 
that is a wonder in itself. It is beyond all 
question the greatest sight at fruiting 
time ever seen. There is not a shadow of a 
doubt about its great value, and that its 
claims will be fully sustained everywhere. 
The average price in the market for its fruit 
has always been two or three times that for 
which other grapes were sold. It has been 
grown by the side of Concords for nineteen 
years and proved its equal in productive- 
ness and hardiness, as well as its general 
good qualities. Its season is the same as 
Concord. The vines can only be obtained 
of me. 
The engraving of the Hosford, on the 
26th page, is made from a photograph 
and fairly represents the clusters as seen in 
Mr. Hosford's market baskets. We believe 
it will take the highest rank everywhere 
and prove the leading market grape. The 
price has been reduced so all can test it. 
