G 
shepherd to keep the air so pure in a barn 
full of sheep, that a person going in from 
the external air will not be able to detect the 
least difference. We have never had a case 
of sickness among our sheep, and what is 
good for fattening sheep or breeding ewes, for 
the same purpose, must be good for all. 
EXERCISE, 
then, is the only question left. There is 
much error as to the importance, or the 
amount of exercise needed by mature sheep. 
Who ever yet saw a sheep of mature age 
walking or running about a yard or field 
merely for the sake of exercise. When not 
eating in the fields, sheep will always be 
first FLOOR PLAM 
Fig. 494. 
SECOND rLons? PLAN 
Fig. 495. 
found huddled together on some knoll, 
lying down and chewing the cud. When 
wintering in the barn yards and well fed, if 
not eating, they are always lying down or 
huddled close together, half asleep, chewing 
the cud; unless, perchance, they are so cold 
that they must run about to warm up. If 
we thought exercise so needful, we would put 
the sheep out of doors, and walk them about 
briskly until sufficiently exercised, and at 
once drive them back to the warm quarters. 
But if not more than 20 are put in a pen 18 
feet square, there ia no trouble whatever; for 
they can get as much exercise as is necessary, 
and of a kind more conducive to their health 
and the welfare of their unborn lambs than in 
shivering about in a temperature many de¬ 
grees below zero. That in such a pen there is 
room enough for exercise is proven by the 
fact that young larnbB, in such a pen. and even 
in a smaller space, will run and play until at 
times it is necessary to go into the pen and stop 
them. We advise no one to go into the hous¬ 
ing of sheep wildly; but we do advise all to 
provide such a stable for a part of the sheep, 
and, dividing the flock, put one part in such 
quarters, allowing the rest to run at large in 
yard or field. Weigh at the beginning; and 
after feeding each flock alike for a Winter, 
weigh again in the Spring, and watch the 
results in the lambs. One such trial will cov- 
vince the most skeptical. 
WHEAT PLOTS AND WHEAT FIELDS. 
Our wheat in plots is sown in rows 15 inches 
apart and about six inches in the row, with a 
view to testing its hardiness, and also to cul¬ 
tivation; it is growing freely and looking 
well. We have sown over 50 varieties, in¬ 
cluding quite a number of the Rural’S 
crosses, sent there from the Rural Grounds at 
River Edge for trial on a different soil and in 
a different climate. Some are remarkably 
promising, doing even better than on the 
poorer soils of New Jersey. Of our field 
wheats, of which we have over 50 acres, the 
bulk—at least 40 acres—is Diehl-Mediterran¬ 
ean. Several acres of other varieties are on 
trial, including most of the novelties. The 
most promising of any we have is the one 
figured, several weeks ago, in the Rural, 
page 679. It is growing very stroDgly, with a 
heavy, broad leaf, and looks as though it 
would defy the most severe Winter. 
The Diehl-Mediterranean is bound to be¬ 
come a very popular wheat. Its extreme 
hardiness, its ability to stand up on rich 
ground, its great productiveness, its freedom 
from rust and the attacks of the Hessian fly, 
its ability to withstand wet weather without 
sprouting, and its superior milling properties 
form a rare combination of good qualities 
hard to equal. Its great fault, so far, is the 
fact that being a cross-bred variety, it has 
hardly become fixed, and careful selection is 
needed to get a wheat of uniform growth and 
character. As now grown, it is badly mixed 
and lacks stability. In 1888 we selected a 
quantity of model heads, and from this we 
grew a plot last Summer, from which we 
removed all imperfect beads. Of this doubly 
selected seed we have sown.several acres, and 
we have never seen its superior for vigor and 
health. Its leaves are very broad and dark; 
it lies flat on the ground, which it now entire¬ 
ly covers, and we shall expect a fine crop of 
very uniform wheat. 
HARVESTING CORN. 
Most of our corn crop is good, though not 
as good as in some years: reason, too much 
rain and too little sunshine and heat. We 
have a method of harvesting which we have 
never seen mentioned, but which we like ever 
so much; it beats a corn busker all out of 
sight. We put the corn in bundles as cut, 
and set it in pretty large shocks, and when 
well cured, on a bright day we draw it to the 
barns and run stalks, corn and all through an 
ordiuary wheat thrashing machine with the 
concave dropped down, and prepared on pur. 
pose. The machine is run by steam, the corn 
is fed butt-end first, and is husked, shelled 
and cleaned all at one operation and in first 
class style. No corn is left among the stalks, 
and the big parts of these are so broken that 
they can be run with the straw carrier into the 
mows, and, mixed with a little straw, keep 
in the best condition. It is no large day’s 
work to thrash from 500 to 800 bushels of 
shelled corn. In fact, when in good order 
almost the only limit is the amount that 
can be got to the machine. We, last Fall, 
thrashed 600 bushels iD a day easily. Try it 
and report! 
AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
TWENTIETH BIENNIAL MEETING. 
(RURAL SHORT HAND REPORT.) 
NEW GRAPES. 
After the reading of Mr. Munson’s paper 
before alluded to, the remainder of the last 
morning's session was mainly occupied in the 
discussion of Borne of the newer grapes. 
Wtoming Red was first called. Mr. Ly¬ 
man, Virginia, said: “I have grown it 
five years; fruit very good, foliage good, 
ripens well, quality excellent.” Mr. Ganz- 
born, Micb.: " Had it bearing five or six years; 
it made a good growth every year, quality 
not best, but good; a good salable grape; 
ripens a week before the Concord.” Mr. 
GreeD, N. V.: ‘'Handsome clusters, resembles 
Delaware; but poor in quality, though hardy.” 
Mr. Hubbard, N.Y.; ‘•Earliest red grape, of 
poor quality, quite foxy. Most people would 
call it as good as Concord. It is a valuable 
early red grape.” Mr. Campbell, Ohio: “I 
agree with Mr. Hubbard; it is very handsome; 
of a beautiful red color; not of good quality; 
foliage mildewed a little w ith me this season.” 
Niagara was next called. Dr. Hape, 
Georgia: “A vigorous grower; I have not 
fruited it yet, foliage perfectly healthy.” Mr. 
Philips, of Graud Haven, Mich.: “Out of 40 
sorts I have, the Niagara is the strongest 
grower, and most abundant bearer. 1 had 
new canes 16 feet king last August 1. I con¬ 
sider it a very promising variety, especially 
adapted to the lake shore of Western Michi¬ 
gan.” Mr. Hayes, Mich.: “Have fruited it 
one year; it sells well; ripens well; a good 
bearer; no mildew; no rot; it eats well and is 
a good keeper.” Mr. Augur, Conn : “A New 
York dealer tells me he thinks it will be 
a popular market grape in New York City.” 
Mr. Munson, Texas: “Has it been fruited in 
grape-rot regions?” Mr. Lyman,Virginia: <‘1 
know of a vineyard of 4U0 vines where it has 
rotteij badly for three seasons.” Mr. Munson: 
“That is the great question with us in Texas; 
rot is our greatest trouble with grapes. If 
Niagara rots like Pocklington, we don’t want 
it.” Mr. Rogers, N. J.: “In New Jersey, as 
to health, Niagara can be Compared with 
Concord.” Mr. Collins, N. J.: “I have fruited 
it some years and have noticed some rot at 
times.” Mr. Barry, N. Y.: “It seems re¬ 
markably healthy in our vineyard tbis year; 
it loots well; but like other varieties, it is 
behind in ripening; we have fruited it two 
years.” Mr. Hubbard: “it Isa strong grower, 
does well so far with me. But I tl:ink it will 
rot where the rot is prevelent; the leaves mil¬ 
dew under some circumstances.” Mr. Camp 
bell: “I have not fruited it yet, never having 
been allowed a vine for fruiting.” 
Empire State was next called. Mr. Barry 
“I understand it is a promising grape.” Mr. 
Green: “I saw it on the Hudsou River last 
Fall, where the vine seemed very healthy and 
promising.” Messrs. Rogers, Augur, Man¬ 
ning, and others, also regarded it as a promis¬ 
ing variety. Mr. Campbell: “I have bruited 
a litt’e this season for the first time; not quite 
ripe yet; good in quality, pretty nearly ‘very 
good’perhaps; a fine grape, flavor pure, not 
foxy; remarkable for its healthy foliage. It 
ripens its wood early, aud I think it is hardy, 
it baviug been exposed to a temperature of 
82 degrees below zero; I think jt is as hardy as 
the Concord in fruit and foliage.” 
Po’keepsie Rep was then asked about. Mr. 
Johnsou, Indiana; “1 have fruited it to some 
extent; it rots tbis year somewhat, but last 
year it was good.” Mr. Barry: “l certainly 
can speak highly of its quaiitv.” 
Ulster Prolific was then called. Mr. 
Johnsou: “It is one of the best grapes I ever 
grew, and the best 1 ever tasted; rots a little; 
foliage fair, not the best.” Dr. Hexamer: “I 
have seen it growing on the grounds of Mr. 
Caywocd, the originator, on the west bank 
of the Hudson, There the vineB are strong 
and healthy, though I regard the locality of 
the vineyard as exceptionally favorable, being 
protected by a range of bills on tbe north 
and west. The quality of the grape is excel¬ 
lent.” Mr. Green: “ltisa largo, red grape; 
bunch of good size, cot so good in quality as 
Po'keepsie Red, 1 think.” Mr. Cay wood, of 
New York, son of the originator: “We have 
never seen the slightest trace of mildew or 
blight during the 18 years we have growu the 
Ulster Prolific: the foliage has always been 
perfect, even until tbe grapes w'ereripe.” Mr. 
Harry: “1 certainly think well of this new 
grape.” Mr. Augur: “I have not fruited 
it yc-t, but 1 ordered 1U0 of the vines last 
Spring for my own grounds, and they are all 
alive now. 
Francis B. Haves was named next. Treas¬ 
urer Sj ith, Mass,: “I have beeu familiar 
with it for some years, and think favorably of 
it. John B. Moore, Concord. Mass., was the 
originator. Out of 10,000 seedlings, he only 
obtained a dozen worth saving, tbe Hayes be¬ 
ing one of that number. Tbe berry is one of 
medium size aud excellent flavor: is early, 
perfectly hardy and very prolific, foliage free 
from mildew; a week earlier than tbe Con¬ 
cord." Mr. Manning: “It is a seedling from 
tbe Concord, and I can speak well of it It 
is very fine and was called the best white 
grape by our Massachusetts Horticultural 
Society last year. Not quite so vigorous u 
grower as the Concord, I think.” Mr, 
Campbell: “It has not quite tbe vigor of the 
Concord, more like Martha, l think." 
Jessica, of Canada, was next called, but 
elicited no response. 
Centennial was the next variety brought 
underfire. Mr. Hubbard: “Isaw it fruiting 
on the Hudson this year; but don’t know 
much about it. Tbe berry seems small; 
cluster quite large; pink In color; not hardy, 
I think.” Mr, Campbell: “1 fruited it this 
year; foliage not healthy; vine killed last 
Winter. I do not regard it with favor; not 
sufficiently vigorous." Mr. Munson: “I have 
it growing in Texas: vine indicates disease; 
the growth is weakly.” 
Amrhr Queen was next named. Mr. 
Hubbard: “Duriug the first year of my ex¬ 
perience with it, l thought well of it; but of 
late, 1 do not regard it as of much value.” 
Victoria was then called. Mr. Hubburd: 
“I am disposed to think well of it. I regard 
it as better than Martha in most respects.” 
Mr. Hoag: “I tbiDk there is some misappre¬ 
hension about this grape; some think it small, 
others say it Is a large grape: somebody hus 
the wrong thing. With us it is small, too 
small for profit; neither does it bear well 
with me.” Mr. Woodward: “it is the health¬ 
iest grape on our grounds; fruit large; bears 
well; ripens a little before Concord—a few 
days. It is about the same size, uniformly 
productive and healthy, no rot or mildew; 
quality as good as Concord.” 
Triumph was next. Mr. Munson: “I have 
fruited it for nine years in Texas. It has 
rotted a little this year, but never before, 
fS©V'§4 
though it is making a fair growth. It is large 
in cluster, medium to large in berry, and of a 
golden color at the South. I think it is nearly 
as good as the foreign Chasselas in flavor, 
and free from disease. It is inclined to over¬ 
bear, and will set an immense crop; hence it 
should be thinned in our climate. It is the 
best of all the hybrids among tbe late grapes 
I have yet tried, with proper soil and treat¬ 
ment.” Dr. Hape: “I agree with all Mr. 
Munson has said of the Triumph; it is a 
promising variety in the South.” Mr. Lyman: 
“I can give it a good name in Virginia.” 
Eldorado was next called. Mr. Augur: “It 
rots very badly with me.” Mr. Hubbard: 
“Not worthy of cultivation, I thiuk.” Mr. 
Campbell: “I agree with friend Hubbard; it 
has imperfect blossoms, sets its fruit badly, 
aud I caunot recommend it.” 
Highland was then called. Mr. Collins: 
“It produces largely, but is very apt to rot, 
and is late to ripen.” Mr. Uber, Va., “It is 
liable to rot in our section.” Mr. Lyman: “I 
have fruited it two years; it grows vigorous¬ 
ly, and I have been able to secure it from rot 
by bagging.” Mr. Augur: “It is too late for 
Connecticut.” “Mr. Campbell: “The same is 
true of Ohio, where it also rots.” 
Vergennes was next called. Mr, Green: 
“I think well of it, and like the quality; it 
ripens well.” Mr. Rogers: “It is somewhat 
subject to rot in New Jersey.” Mr Hubbard: 
“I think highly of it; it is pretty healthy in 
vine and foliage, inclined to overbear, per- 
ha;s; good-sized berries of fine quality; good 
keeper aud shipper, and a good grower.” A 
similar report came from the Lake Shore. 
Mr. Hoag: “Cluster not very large and yet it 
produces a large quantity of fruit, and I like 
jtvery well.” Mr. Lyman: “It does well in 
Virginia, grows and fruits well.” Mr. Au¬ 
gur: “It’s a strong grower and very produc¬ 
tive, but mildews a little in Connecticut." 
Mr . Hendricks, of New York: “It grows and 
fruits well on tbe Hudsou; berries large, 
bunch a little loose and straggling, no mildew 
or rot; but I fear it is goiDg to bo rather late 
in ripening. My fruit was not ripe when I 
left home, but 1 like the quality.” Mr. Hub¬ 
bard: “1 think myself it is somewhat later in 
ripening than has bepn reported.” Mr. Mun¬ 
son read his classification of the Vergennes 
from his table: “Good to very good and some 
times best;” he says. Mr. Campbell, who, 
by the way, was now iu the chair, Mr. Barry 
having been obliged to leave for home before 
the expiration of the morning hour, said: 
“The Vergennes is a moderately good grower, 
berries large ; seme mildew, which I saw this 
year for the first time. I think the quality is 
good, aLd it will probably be a valuable 
grape. 
Early Victor was then named. Mr. Hub¬ 
bard: “It is a strong grower and healthy; 
clusters small; berry of medium size; inclined 
to overbear; not extra in quality, and not 
very early; but it does not rot or mildew, I 
thiuk.” Mr. Uber: “I quite agree with all 
Mr. Hubbard has said of tbe Victor.” Mr. 
Rogers: “Ripens about with Concord in New 
Jersey; hialthy, good bunch, productive.” 
Mr. Hubbard: “It is a few days before Con¬ 
cord with me” Mr. Augur: “1 find more 
difference still; it is about a week earlier than 
the Concord in Connecticut.” Mr. Collins: 
“Berry small, vine a healthy grower; ripens 
a full week before the Concord with me.” Mr. 
Campbell: “It is perfectly healthy and prom¬ 
ising, a week earlier thuu the Concord, but 
not as early as Ihe Hartford Prolific.” Mr. 
Munson: “I have fruited it a little for two 
years; it rotted both seasons, black rot (an¬ 
thrax) completely denuded it of fruit; some 
clusters were clean; gray rot does not seem to 
attack it; it ripens with Ives’ S.edling, but it 
is a better grape. It is not prrtitable with 
us in Texas.” 
Jefferson was named next. Mr. Augur: 
“I have fruited it for three years, not very 
hardy, cannot depend upon it without laying 
down in Winter.” Mr. Green: “It istoolato 
for us, several weeks later than Concord.” 
Mr. Hubbard: “ltisa* late as the Catawba 
with us." Mr. Woodward: “We can get it 
ripe only about once in 10 years; it is very 
difficult to ripen.” Mr. Lyman: “It requires 
much care in ripening; we have succeeded at 
times by the use of bags.” .Treasurer Smith: 
“I have tried it to some extent and occasion¬ 
ally succeeded In getting a few nice clusters.” 
Moore's Early was then named. Prof. 
Budd: “1 consider it very promising in Iowa 
now; it seems to he hardier than Concord, it 
has a better leal'. This has been a bad season 
for the foliage of the grapo, the Concord 
having been seriously injured out there; but 
Moore’s remained perfect; mine were entirely 
ripe before 1 left home. Moore’s Early has 
the best foliuge. It is emlier evou than the 
Worden I think.” Mr. Lyman: “I have 
fruited it now two years, and it has proven 
quite satisfactory; wood and foliage good; 
an abundant bearer; fruit large; ripens early; 
shall plant largely of it.” Mr. Plumb, Wis- 
