310 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



NEW GRAPES. 

 By George W. Campbell of Delaware. Ohio. 



I am asked to say a few words to you upon new grapes — a subject which has engaged 

 my attention for many years, and one which I beUeve has some attraction for every 

 one. For who is there who does not feel a glow of pleasure at the thought of graceful 

 vines laden with their wealth of purple, golden, or rosy clusters, climbmg upon the 

 walls or twining upon the trellis in garden or vmeyard, with rich ijromise of luscious 

 fruitage to delight the palate or yield their generous juices to make glad the heart of 

 man, as they have through the long ages of the past? 



But I must not dwell upon these thoughts and reflections, however alluring they 

 may be, but approach the subject in a practical and business way; as a question of 

 profit, rather than of sentiment. 



Of the large number of grapes which have been originated within the past thirty 

 years, comparatively few have become generally popular or valuable; and it is doubtless 

 true, that from the long and attractive lists of our catalogues many might be rejected 

 without serious loss or inconvenience. This will eventually come, through the intro- 

 duction of new and better kinds; but for many reasons it is a slow and somewhat 

 difficult matter. So many varieties have been brought forward with extravagant 

 and extraordinary claims, which have not been sustained, the careful and practical 

 grape-grower views with many grains of doubt, if not of suspicion, the new grape 

 which is offered as "earlier than the Hartford; as healthy and hardy as the Concord; 

 better than the Delaware; and whose fruit never rots, and foliage never mildews." By 

 claiming too much, introducers of new grapes have often misled and disappointed a 

 generous and perhaps too confiding public. 



We have been striving, and hoping, and expecting to obtain the perfect grape, with 

 all the excellencies, and at the same time suited to all localities. We have not found it, 

 and we probably never shall. But we have varieties that with intelligent care succeed 

 admirably in particular localities, and are grown with both pleasure and profit to their 

 owners. The same varieties in situations unsuited to their special characteristics would 

 only result in failure and disapijointment. 



When the fact is fully understood and acted upon, that varieties must be selected 

 with reference to climate, soil, and location, disappointment will be less, and success 

 more certain. 



We have now also reason to believe that, by the intelligent use of the new^ remedies 

 which have proven so successful both in this country and in Europe, the area of suc- 

 cessful grape culture w-ill be greatly enlarged; and that many of the finer varieties may 

 be profitably grown in localities from which they have hitherto been excluded on 

 account of their liability to mildew and rot in unfavorable seasons. 



The number of new grapes of more or less promise, which have been introduced 

 within a few years past, has been so large that I can not within the limits of this paper, 

 do more than notice a few of those most prominent, and which seem most promising 

 for jjermanent value. The points to be determined as to a new grape should be: "Do 

 we need it? And is it, in any important respect, better than those we have already?" 

 Unless these questions can be affirmatively answered, I should say there is no place for 

 it, and no propriety in adding it to a list already too long, of varieties whose usefulness 

 is certainly very limited, if not altogether doubtful. 



The Niagara grape is comparatively new; and although it has not been found adapted 

 to very general cultivation, is still one of the most profitable and valuable for such 

 localities as are suited to its requirements. It has not proven as early nor as hardy as 

 represented, by its introducers; neither has it been more exempt from mildew of 

 foliage or rot of its fruit than the average. But its vigorous growth and abundant 

 bearing, with quality and ajjpearance good enough to satisfy the mass of buyers and 

 consumers, render it one of the new grapes worthy to be retained and recommended, 

 wherever it can be successfully grown. 



The Empire State is a formidable competitor for public favor with the Niagara. It 

 is about equal to it in vigor of growth, probably little, if any hartlier in severe winters, 

 but within my experience has better foliage, much less disposed to mildew. In product- 

 iveness, usually somewhat less than the Niagara, but, to my taste, in quality greatly its 

 superior. 



Moore's Diamond is a still later introduction of which I speak with a limited expe- 

 rience, but with the hope of bringing out information from those who have grown it 

 longer. With me it appears no hardier nor healthier in vine or foliage, than the Empire 

 State. About the same in vigor of growth, but not as productive, with bunches and berries 

 somewhat smaller. In quality distinct and pure fiavored, but not better. 



