The Scientific Production of New Fruits. 245 



What we have here said in respect to the apple applies to other species of 

 fruit, except that, perhaps, small fruits have a greater range of latitude, 

 and yield more readily to the influences of domestication, as may be seen in 

 the raspberry and strawberry. 



The grape, that is at present exciting so much attention and that has had 

 so much labor bestowed upon it, appears to require something more than 

 the passing notice we gave it. 



There is perhaps no species of fruit that has a wider range ; that is more 

 healthy and hardy; that bears more profusely and with more certainty than 

 the wild grape, yet we have very few improved varieties in cultivation that 

 are free from rot and disease. This would not be the case if there were not 

 something wrong in the production of these varieties. They must have 

 originated from diseased or local varities not adapted to general cultivation, 

 or we would have made some improvement over Delaware, Catawba and Con- 

 cord. To overcome these difficulties effectually and with certainty, we will 

 have to commence anew and produce a new race of grapes entirely exempt 

 from disease. 



That this can be done we have no doubt, for nature has most generously 

 done her part, and if we do our part according to our ability, the work will 

 soon be accomplished. Neither need we go far off or put ourselves to any 

 great inconvenience, for the material is at hand. 



It is, however, true that we must go into a new field and clear the way, but 

 the soil is so rich and fertile that it will amply repay us for all the labor be- 

 stowed upon it. 



To commence this work we would take a wild variety of the pure xstivcdis 

 species, that is perfectly healthy and hardy, like the Cynthiana and Avilla. 

 These are not only very vigorous and productive, but perhaps the richest 

 grapes in existence, containing one-third more sugar than the Concord, 

 being pure, sprightly, without pulp and of excellent quality, with very small 

 seeds. 



There has been no condition of weather or season that we have yet seen 

 but they have succeeded. They are not only phylloxera and gall-louse proof, 

 but almost hard-pan and drought proof. We doubt if there is a location 

 where these grapes will not succeed within the boundary of their maturity, 

 and at a place where a grape can grow. 



Here we have grapes without fault, except they mature late and are of rather 

 small size. To overcome these difficulties we have other wild grapes of the 

 pure labrusca species that are equally as healthy, hardy and productive as the 

 other, that will mature as far North as Canada, some of which are -larger than 

 any grape in cultivation. They possess all the qualities to make them suc- 

 ceed wherever they will mature, and they are as thoroughly proof against the 

 weather as the other species. 



In these two wild species we have all the requisites to produce healthy, 

 hardy seedlings of the very highest quality and of the largest size, maturing 

 either early or late. All that is required is to place these two species under 



