42 TKANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



est grape 1 have on my place; has no fault, except that it has a 

 tendency to over-hear, and is only a moderate grower. I esteem it 

 more highly than any other grape with which 1 am acquainted. 



Niagara has fruited for the first time with me the past season, 

 and I was greatly disappointed in it. It is a magnificent grower and 

 very productive. A vine grafted in 1885 hore this year twenty- 

 eight good large hunches, hesides some smaller ones. Both hunches 

 and berries came up to representations in size and beauty; had no 

 rot, but it is so handsome that it should be bagged whether it rots 

 or not. It is, however, not as early as represented, ripening with 

 me the past season after Concord. It do not consider it of high 

 quality, but its size, handsome appearance and good shipping qual- 

 ities will make it a favorite in our markets. I think it will be 

 among grapes what the Ben Davis is among apples. It readily sold 

 for ten cents per pound when Concords were selling for three to 

 four cents, I intend to graft it largely onto Concords. 



Empire State I have growing but not fruited. Judging from 

 foliage and growth, I doubt its being a cross of Hartford and Clin- 

 ton. Neither foliage or wood indicate such parentage, and it is ten- 

 der, being killed to the ground last winter, which ought not to be 

 the case were its parentage as given by Mr, Ricketts. I believe it is 

 a hybrid having foreign blood in its composition. 



Woodruff I have growing but not fruited; but judging by some 

 grapes sent by the disseminator, and the growth of the vines, I 

 have my doubts about its equality; think it will prove foxy and drop 

 from the stems. 



Siglar has fruited three years, is a moderate grower, very pro- 

 ductive, red in color, small in bunch, and berry a little foxy but 

 sweet and good; is early and free from rot. 



Perkins and Champion are strong growers, ve'^y productive, 

 color very early, and sell for a good price; but the quality is so poor 

 that I think they should not be grown, and when Eirly Victor and 

 Jewell become plenty I do not think any one will b:iy them. 



Although the acreage and interest in grape culture is much less 

 than it was ten years ago, yet I believe we have made good progress, 

 inasmuch as we know what causes rot and thai: some varieties are 

 exempt; for, knowing what causes rot, we can conduct experiments 

 in an intelligent manner, with a view to finding a practical remedy, 

 which I have no doubt will in time be discovered; and he who will 

 discover such a remedy will be a benefactor to his race, for the grape 

 is one of the noblest fruits cultivated by mail. 



