368 WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
4th. Another great advantage is the most perfect pulveriza¬ 
tion of the soil. The surface of the soil being kept moist by 
the ample covering which permits no mat of grass or other 
vegetable roots* to interfere with their operations, millions of 
earth worms are at work night and day in eating and digesting 
the lighter soils, thus creating nitrogen, ammonia, etc., in great 
abundance, without the least appreciable detriment. 
5th. It serves to keep the roots near the surface. In my 
opinion, based upon limited observation, it is not necessary for 
tbe roots of small vinous fruits to penetrate deep into subsoils. 
If the surface is parched up some stray roots will “ dive for 
water,” but if fluid nourishment can be obtained without deep 
penetration the roots will keep to the surface, and auxiliaries 
will multiply and expand to meet every demand from the ex¬ 
tending vine. 
6th. The annual covering of straw is beneficial as a fertili¬ 
zer; no other manure will be needed. Straw not only contains 
within itself many chemical ingredients necessary to the 
growth of the canes, but it forms a blanket covering to the 
earth, and prevents the various acids, gases and succulent 
juices from a too rapid evaporation. 
The question has been frequently asked : Do not the mice 
burrow in the straw and girdle the canes ? ( I have never wit¬ 
nessed the least trace of such spoliation, nor have I noticed 
any rot, mildew or other disease. The black aphides are the 
only insect enemies I have ever noticed, and they have never 
appeared to do much harm. 
The birds have proved very destructive. No less than one- 
half of my entire crop was destroyed the past season by them. 
The Delawares are their favorite plunder. Scarcely are the 
berries turned in color when the feathered tribe mount the trel¬ 
lises and insert their mandibles in the fruit, requiring but a 
few moments to render unmarketable the best bunches. In 
this way a single bird will destroy many pounds in a few hours. 
The sharp crack of the fowling piece and the occasional loss 
of a mate probably would put an end to the carnival, but my. 
continued absence from home has added to the freedom of their 
