and far more wholesome, than the wine generally imported at so great an expense; and a supply of that article being very uncertain, I am induced to urge the making wine of all the native grapes that can be procured; and in collecting them, to notice the vines that produce grapes of the best quality, and which are the most productive, as this will enable persons to select the best vine to cultivate and to propagate from. This ought to be particularly attended to, as there are many vines which produce good grapes, but few in quantity, and others very productive but of bad quality and I believe full half the number that come from the seed are males, and will never bear fruit. The sex is easily distinguished when in bloom, by the females showing the fruit in the heart of the blossom as soon as open, and the male presenting nothing of that kind. "As the native grape-vine will not grow well from cuttings, the best way I know of to propagate them is by removing the vines, or laying branches in the earth to take root for a year or more, and when rooted remove them, or plant the seeds from the best kinds; and when in bloom dig up the males. If well cultivated, they will blow in three or four years, but will produce different kinds, the same as apples; and I have had some from the seeds superior to the parent." Mr. Cooper observes in one of his publications:— "In February or March, previously to the sap's running, I examine and trim the vines, observing which branches will suit best for training to different parts of the arbour, or whatever the vines are to cover; a sufficiency of the strongest shoots to extend, or fill vacancies if wanted; then cut the other side shoots of the last year's growth that appear large enough for bearers, leaving not more than three or four buds or eyes and the diminutive ones; cut the dead and unnecessary old vines, close to the leading branches; then spread the vines regularly over what they are to run on, and secure them from being shifted, by tacking or tying. "From trials and observations I am convinced, that the greatest error in making wine in our country is, using too much sugar and water for the quantity of fruit. The nearer wine is made from the juice of fruit, without water, the better, with no more sugar than will make it palatable by correcting the acid, and brandy or good cider spirit to give it strength sufficient to keep through our hot summers. The spirit will incorporate with the wine, so that when it arrives to proper age, it will not be known by its taste that any had been in it." CATTLE SHOW. THE fourth show held under the direction of the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the breed of Cattle, took place at Bushhill, on Monday the 2d of October last. The following Cattle were shown: I. By Aaron Palmer, near Darby. 1. Two large handsome red working oxen, five years old. 2. One brown steer, three years old-1-4 deer-3-4 steer. This animal was bred in the back part of the state of New-York. His dam was produced from a deer and a cow, as appear from the certificate now in the possession of A. Palmer, who procured the above mongrel from Benjamin Norton, a drover.-Weight 5 1-2 cwt. II. By Laurence Seckel. 3. Three brindle steers, three years old, each supposed to weigh 9 cwt. 3 qrs. 4. Two five year old steers, one red, supposed to weigh 13 cwt. These are intended to be stall-fed, but were in high order when shown. III. By Martin Dubbs. 5. Two red steers, four years old-estimated weight of beef 18 cwt. 6. One black pied steer-supposed weight 9 cwt. V. By George Hopple. 7. One large brindle steer, five years old-weight of beef 950 lbs. 8. One light red do.-weight of beef 800 lbs. 9. Four small steers, five years old, off grass, and in high order. VI. By Jonathan Clift, Philadelphia County. 10. A large red and white bull, of the Alderney breed, seven years old. VII. By John Barney. · 11. Two red oxen, ten years old, large and in high order, putation. 12. A light brindle cow, of imported stock, with a very fine calf, nine weeks old. 13. A dark brown cow, and twin calves, remarkably large and fine. 14. A very handsome red milch cow. VIII. By William L. Fisher. 15. A black cow, about seven years old, an excellent milker; she will retain her milk until about to calve, and was with calf when exhibited. Mr. Cushman, from Genesee, brought 22 head of stock cattle for sale, which were disposed of at a fair price on the ground. Mr. Mudge, also from Genesee, brought 128 head of stock cattle for sale, of a superior kind-24 head of which were sold on the ground. The following Merinos were disposed of by public auction: they were of the Infantado flock, and imported from Spain by Capt. Stewart. Two 3-4 Merino rams, the property of Mr. Howell, were also sold by auction, viz: One from Col. Humphreys's stock, for $ 100. One from Dr. Mease's flock, by a ram of Col. Humphreys's, for $65.-Both were bought by Mr. C. W. Hare. Unfortunately the day proved uncommonly warm, which prevented many fine cattle being exhibited, particularly by Mr. J. Hart, Mr. L. Seckel, and others: it was the intention of the for mer gentleman to bring forward again his noble steer, shown last April, an account of which was given in the first number of this work, p. 56. Mr. Seckel also intended to exhibit twenty very fine fat steers, an account of whose weights will probably be given in the next number of this work. The show is to be regularly continued Spring and Autumn, of which due notice will be given in the newspapers. Drovers, farmers, and others, are invited to encourage the Society in their plan of holding a fair for the sale of all kinds of lean and fat cattle, and for horses, cows and sheep, and of farmstock in general, on the day of their shows for breeding cattle. WORMS IN FRUIT TREES. THE following paper appeared in New-York in the year 1808, and the directions given have been tried with various success. Injurious insects are multiplying so fast among us, owing to the negligence of the farmers in destroying them, that any remedy, likely to succeed only partially, is worthy of attention. The Editor will thankfully receive an account of the result of an attention to the plan here recommended. THE re-appearance of those armies of Caterpillars which infested, and even destroyed, so many of our fruit trees last summer, has this year induced me to make the following expe riments : 1. On a young apple tree, at the bifurcation of the first limb, I made a moulding of clay mortar, (about 14 days ago.) On the 3d day, I observed an unusual commotion of the worms; and that they appeared weak, emaciated, and their bright colour much diminished, appearing of a foxy brown. Some of them attempting to descend, when they came to the projection of the clay, fell to the ground. Others, which I suppose had fallen, had re-ascended to the clay; but could not, or would not, pass it, though they appeared perfectly restored to their colour and size. On the 5th day, I observed that their excrements, which before had seemingly filled the nest, had disappeared. On the 7th day, the nest also had disappeared, and the worms almost gone, éxcept some dead ones, and a few small, emaciated ones, which were scarcely able to move. On the 9th, the clay being very dry, some fresh looking worms had made a lodgment on the clay, and formed a new web over it. These I displaced, and gave the moulding a coat of fresh mud. They are now entirely gone. 2. On a cherry tree in my meadow, where a vast number of those vermin had nested, and devoured all the leaves, I placed a sod, so as to encompass the trunk, and be supported by the first limb. On the 7th day, the nest remained entire, but filled with dead worms, and but two or three living ones on the tree. 3. On a tree, similar to the last, I placed a sod in the bifurcation of the first limb, without making it to encompass either limb or trunk on the 7th day, the worms on this were dead likewise. 4. Not satisfied with the foregoing unexpected results, as in the last experiment, I placed a sod, with the earth downwards, (as was the case before) in the second bifurcation of another tree, where I observed a considerable collection of worms on the trunk; but none that I could see had as yet ascended to the limbs and this morning I observed that they had eaten many of the leaves on the first limb, below the sod, and were ascending in considerable numbers to it. None appeared on the rest of the limbs, though there is room enough for them to ascend without touching the sods. : I do not feel myself warranted in saying that such success will invariably follow this method of preserving our fruit trees; but the experiment is so easily made, that I think it well worth pub lic attention. Whitehall, May 27, 1808. N. C. |