MISCELLANEOUS ADDRESSES. 265 
ger in summer, is an open question which we may profitably dis¬ 
cuss. 
The success of a few with grapes, and the splendid exhibitions 
made at our fairs, are doing a good work, by exciting a very gen¬ 
eral desire and determination to have a better supply of choice 
grapes for home use. The great wine producing fever has mostly 
subsided, leaving behind but few who mourn; but to encourage 
and foster this growing of grapes, as healthful and luxurious food, 
until choice, ripe clusters in their season are abundant on every 
table, is noble work for us to do, and for which we shall never 
blush. That such a supply may be had, with only moderate effort 
and expense to the grower, none can doubt who have carefully 
observed the success of all who have judiciously planted. 
In this matter of grape culture, as indeed in all horticultural 
practices that we would make wide-spread and general, we must 
study simplicity. “ The million ” cannot be educated up to that 
thorough preparation of soil, or that systematic after-culture set 
forth in most horticultural books. I should be sorry to advocate 
anything slack or slip-shod, but I think we may properly say to 
all planters, while deep soil and thorough drainage are necessary 
to your success, they are generally not expensive, or difficult to 
obtain. Nature may have prepared them ready for use, or any 
needed changes may be easily made by team and plow, while only 
occasionally is it absolutely necessary to use the spade and costly 
hand labor. So take courage, and if it is not convenient for you 
to incur large expense, do not give up, or postpone the planting, 
but go to work hopefully with the common means at your com¬ 
mand. 
A. carefully kept trellis of grapes is a beautiful sight, but just 
as healthy vines and just as choice fruit may be supported by a 
few rough stakes, and the pruning and trimming absolutely needed 
is very simple and easy. 
A bed of strawberries kept nicely in hills is very attractive, and 
may pay well for the time and labor bestowed upon it, but the fact 
that you cannot give this extra care, need not diminish your sup¬ 
ply of strawberries. A few rows planted in good common soil, 
and tended entirely with horse and cultivator will yield abund¬ 
antly. 
