Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1869 [PAGE 274]

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260 Mr. EDWATCDS—Not like hard pan. In wet seasons, however, it retains a considerabl* amount of water. Mr. HUSMANN—I should think it would be necessary, and certainly desirable, that such soil should be drained. My experience leads me to think that all the varieties belonging to the class o grapes called Labrusca require a richer soil than the class ^Esti valis. There are exceptions to this rule. A VOICE —State the characteristics or types of the two classes. Mr. HUSMANN—rThe Catawba, Concord and Hartford Prolific are types of the Labrusca class. The ^Estivalis is the commor summer grape in our woods. The Norton's Virginia, the Cythi ana, the Hebermont, are types of this class of grapes. QUESTION—Where do you class the Delaware ? Mr. HUSMANN—It comes in the class ^Estivalis. QUESTION—Where do you place the Isabella ?

Mr. HUSMANN—It is Labrusca.

QUESTION—Where do you place the Hebermont?

Mr. HUSMANN—iEstivalis.

Mr. B. F . JOHNSON, of Champaign—We have, I believe, tw kinds of wild grapes. A VOICE—What are they good for ? Mr. HUSMANN—Not much, so far as we have tried them. Mr. CAMPBELL—At what distance would you plant the Coi cord ?

Mr. HUSMANN—6 by 10.

QUESTION—Do you protect the Norton's Virginia in winter,?

Mr. HUSMANN—I do not.

QUESTION—Is the Ive's Seedling as early as the Concord %

> Mr. HUSMANN—I think so.

QUESTION—What are the particular varieties that you wou recommend for general planting ? Mr. HORSMANN— I would plant the Norton, Cynthiana, Mas tawy, Clinton, Hartford Prolific, and some of Rodger's Hybrec say Numbers 1, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 22. QUESTION—What number is the Salem ?

Mr. HUSMANN—No. 22.

In answer to a question, Mr. Husmann stated that many var ties of grapes had a tendency to overbear, and this favored d ease, mildew, etc. The Delaware would do this until we trimm it very short.