AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSERYMEN. 311 



Another new white grape of the Labrusca class, as yet but little known, originated at 

 Columbus, Ohio, and named "Witt," after its originator, by the Ohio State Horticult- 

 ural society, has the merit of hardiness and health of foliage, and is fairly productive 

 of handsome clusters of good size and fine quality. It is doubtless a Concord seedling, 

 and resembles the Martha in foliage and habit of growth, but its bunches and berries 

 are mxich larger and its quality and flavor much better. 



The Woodruff Red has many good points to commend it, although there are differences 

 of opinion as to its character and value. It originated near Ann Arbor, Michigan, and 

 is claimed to be a Concord seedling. It seems to have all the vigorous growth, health, 

 and hardiness of its reputed parent; and to have all the requisites for a popular and 

 valuable grape, as nearly suited to general cultivation as any variety new or old. yet 

 introduced. It bears abundantly, producing berries and clusters of the largest size, 

 bright and attractive in color, and ripening with, or a little earlier than Concord. It is, 

 however, a variety pronounced in character, and distinct in flavor, a pleasant mixture 

 of sweet and vinous acid, with also somewhat of the "'native aroma" called foxiness, 

 which to the many, when not in excess, is an added charm, and to the few an "unpleas- 

 antness." As many as nineteen in twenty who have eaten Uiis grape in my presence, 

 have called it excellent, and some have even pronounced it as good or better than the 

 Delaware. I cannot agree with this latter opinion, but I have long ago ceased to dis- 

 pute or quarrel about matters of individual taste; yet I do think the Woodruff has 

 more of the characteristics of a popular and valuable variety for general planting for 

 market and for profit, than any other red grape w'ithin my knowledge. I would there- 

 fore plant it for the nineteen who are satisfied with and like it, and let the twentieth 

 look out for something else. 



The Eaton is another new grape, black in color, and I believe is called a Concord 

 seedling. It somewhat resembles the Woodruff in vigorous growth and healthy foliage; 

 as to comparative hardiness and period of rii^ening I can not say. As I have seen and 

 tasted it on several occasions, it has less of sweetness and also of the "native aroma," its 

 juice being rather thin and acid. It is, however large both in bunch and berry, quite 

 showy and attractive in appearance, and perhaps good enough to be popular and profit- 

 able for market and general use. 



A black grape of entirely different character is the Jewel, originated by John Burr 

 of Leavenworth, Kansas, which has been highly commended in some sections. The 

 vine is of the Labrusca character, hardy in winter, with healthy foliage, in general habit 

 much like the Early Victor. It ripens very early — at Delaware, from the middle to the 

 last of August, according to the season; a little before Moore's Early. The vine is quite 

 productive; berries and clusters only medium, about the size of the Delaware, or a 

 little larger; skin thin, but tenacious, will carry well. Flavor pleasant and sprightly, 

 not foxy. It has small seeds, and though a little pulpy is not acid, or coarse at the 

 center. Its rather small size, and only moderate growth are about its only faults; and 

 though to my taste not, as some have claimed, as good as Delaware, it is the best in 

 quality of any very early-ripening black grape that I have seen. 



The Moyer is a new grape from Canada, that I mention for the purpose of having its 

 merits discussed. As I have growm it, it is not as vigorous as the Delaware, though the 

 foliage appears rather thicker, and better able to resist mildew. I fear the size of the 

 clusters is smaller than Delaware, and its claim for extreme earliness seems to be its 

 prominent recommendation. 



Another red grape of something the same character, not yet introduced to the public, 

 seems promising. Specimens were sent me from Indiana last season. Others were 

 brought to the winter meeting of the Ohio State Horticultural society last December, 

 by the editor of the Indiana Farmer, and were found of excellent quality and remark- 

 able for long keeping. A vine sent me for trial shows vigorous growth, with very large, 

 thick and heavy Labrusca-like foliage. The grape resembles Delaware with somewhat 

 larger berries and clusters and deeper color. It is rich and pure flavored, without 

 foxiness, and pronounced very good by all who tasted it. It was named by its origin- 

 ator Mary's Favorite. I am not informed whether it is to be propagated and offered 

 for sale; but it appears to have merit above many grapes that are now on our lists. 



The Downing grape, which was originated by Mr. Ricketts some years ago, has been 

 lately introduced by Mr. Burrow of Fishkill, N. Y. Although it is said to have been 

 successful in some places in New York, I have found it unusually subject to mildew of 

 the foliage, and entirely unsuited to open culture in my locality. 



The Mills grape the past season failed to ripen its wood, by reason of mildewed 

 foliage, which fell prematurely, and I should class it with the Downing, as only desir- 

 able for amateur culture, in specially favorable situations. 



The Ulster Prolific, originated by the late A. J. Caywood, has some claims for con- 

 sideration, and will probably be found useful in many localities, for its hardiness and 



