FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
6l 
found, Bordeaux spraying has to be done; 
begin early, as soon as bloom is over, 
not forgetting one spray just before buds 
are swelling. Preventive is better than 
cure. 
Bagging the bunches is necessary 
Birds and wasps prefer such sweet grapes 
to all others, and if done as soon as ber¬ 
ries are formed, will almost prevent rot 
and mildew on the fruit. Common pa¬ 
per bags are used, large enough to hold 
the full grown bunch, and fastened with 
copper wire. A small hole or slit is to 
be cut at the bottom. 
Of insects, the steel blue beetle will 
do the most harm, their destructive work 
comes in when buds are first swelling, 
even before, and should be picked off by 
hand. 
I have often seen growers cut their 
grapes when they should have remained 
twO' weeks or longer on the vine; 
let fruit hang as long as possible. Sweet¬ 
ness and aroma will then come to per¬ 
fection. 
DISCUSSION. 
Mr. Painter—I would like to know if 
any member of the society has any in¬ 
formation he can offer on what is 
known as the St. Augustine Grape. I 
know of one or two vines, one of which 
has been bearing for the last twenty 
years. I know of but the two vines. The 
grapes are small, something like the 
Delaware, though not quite so large, and 
grow in very large clusters. I think it 
a good grape to get better acquainted 
with. 
Mr. Hampton—I have seen this grape 
quite frequently in St. Augustine. It is 
a prolific grape, grqwing in large clus-. 
ters, somewhat smaller than the Dela¬ 
ware, which it resembles. It is a hardy vine 
long lived and a good bearer. It is a nice 
table grape and is a grape that ought to 
be and could be without trouble grown 
anywhere in the state. I agree with Mr. 
Painter that it is a grape that we should 
get better acquainted with. 
Mir. Hart—I should like to ask the 
gentleman what measures, if any, are 
taken to prevent the depredations of 
birds, or if they are subject to such 
depradations in liis experience. 
Mr. Hampton—I suppose they are to 
some extent, but depredations of birds 
are very easily remedied. I have been 
bothered by birds in times gone by, but 
am not any more. I have found that an 
easy matter to remedy. Simply take a 
small looking glass, tie a string to the 
edge of it and fasten it up in the top of 
the tree or vine where it can have some 
room to whirl or turn, and I can guaran¬ 
tee that that particular vine or tree will 
never be troubled with birds. 
Member—^I would like to ask if that 
applies also to lady birds? (laughter). 
Mr. Hampton—I regret to have to in¬ 
form the member that it does not. This 
will be found to be a cheap but most effec¬ 
tive remedy against depredations by 
birds. 
