360 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



towards the surface. Flavor mild, sub-acid, sprightly, vinous. Quality very best. 

 Season, September to December. 



President Hammond then read an Essay on "Varieties of Grapes and Apples," 

 which, on motion of the Secretary, was ordered published with the proceedings. 



VARIETIES OF GRAPES AND APPLES. 



[An Essay read before the "Warsaw Horticultural Society, at tlie Oct. meeting. By A. C. Hammond.] 



It perhaps appears to some of you, that, as a Society, we have gained a position, wliere the discus- 

 sion of varieties is no longer necessary. But as many of our old varieties, hitherto considered 

 reliable, are apparently failing and as some of our vineyards are to be replanted, it may perhaps be 

 profitable to enter upon the discussion of the subject to-day. And in attempting to comply with 

 your request, to prepare a paper on the subj ect, I shall ignore the long lists tliat appear on Nursery- 

 men's Catalogues, and ouly speak of those most generally known. 



GKAPES. 



Catawba.— This grape has been more extensively planted in this county than any other variety, 

 and until the last three years has been considered reliable. But during that time it has suffered so 

 severelj- from rot, mildew, and frost, that some of our vine growers are preparing to replant their 

 vineyard with other varieties. 



Isabella— Is now seldom planted by any one. It is almost as tender as the Catawba, subject to the 

 same diseases, and greatly inferior in quality. 



Concord— Possesses more of the requisites of a popular grape than any other variety now growing, 

 being extremely vigorous, and healthy in both leaf and fruit, and remarkably productive, As it 

 wUl adapt itself to almost any soil and location, and flourish, under any treatment, and is of large 

 size, attractive apijearance, and fair qualitj', it may be said to be pre-eminently the grape for the 

 million. In my own vineyard it has this season, where planted close, suffered severely troni rot. 

 But where planted wide and trained in such a manner as to permit thefair to circulate freely, it has 

 been almost exempt. 



Clinton— Is also a grape of great hardship and vigor, and will bear abuse as well as tlie Concord. 

 It is such a rampant grower that it is difficult to keep within bounds, unless planted on poor soil. It 

 begins to color about the middle of August, and is often gathered by the inexperienced, who sup- 

 pose it to be ripe. By this means it has gained the reputation of being of poor qualitj'. But if 

 allowed to remain or! the vines until full}- ripe, whicli will be from the first to the middle of October, 

 they will be found superior to many of the new and much lauded varieties. As a wine grape it is 

 rapidly growing in favor with our vinegrowers. 



Creveling- Is one of the most promising of the new varieties. It was the first grape to ripen on 

 my grounds the present season. The bunches are very large and make a fine appearance. It is 

 superior in quality to the Hartford and will become a more popular market grape. 



Harttord— Is grown, in some localities, quite extensively for market. Its only recommendations 

 are its earliness and productiveness, being scarce!}- possible in quality. It will be superceded by 

 better sorts. 



Ives' Seedling— Is a grai)e of great vigor and productiveness, and generally supposed to be one of 

 the most healthy; but it has, the present season, shown as much rot as the Concord, to which it is 

 greatly inferior in quality. It can never be profitably grown for market. 



Delaware— Is generally considered the most delicate of all our native grapes. While young, the 

 vine is a slow grower, and rather tender, but as it grows old it becomes a good grower and quite 

 hardy. It is the only variety in my vineyard this season that is entirely exempt from rot. It is a 

 grape that suits almost every one, and is much sought for in market. The only drawback to its suc- 

 cessful cultivation, is the liability of the leaves to mildew, whicli often prevents its ripening. 



Norton's Virginia— Is not considered profitable, as it requires careful winter protection, and is not 

 very productive. lona, Anna, Maxatawney, Rebecca, and some of Rogers' Hybrids, are valuable 

 for the amateur, but cannot lie profitably grown in the vineyard. 



APPLES. 



The question of varieties is perhaps more difflcultto decide in regard to apples than any other fruit. 

 A year or two ago we supposed it definitely settled, but the experience of the present year has, in 

 many instances, reversed that of former seasons; some of our most reliable varieties failing, and 

 others that have been generally discarded, producing abundantly. Out of more than a hundred 

 varieties on my own grounds, there is scarcely a dozen that I would phuit in a commercial orchard. 

 We have not a single early apple that has proved entirely satisfactory. 



