184 BOARD OF AGIlICULTUrlE. 



With regard to the Concord, which has attracted considerable atten- 

 tion, the experience of growers is not uniform — with some it ripens- 

 scarcely any earlier than the Isabella. Such has been my owa 

 experience, while with others it proves earlier, and is deemed a very 

 desirable kind. 



The Clinton is a small, early grape, of the easiest culture, harsh 

 to the taste when first colored, but improves by hanging, and late in 

 tlie season is by many preferred to the Isabella, for its high flavor. 



The Hartford Prolific has ripened here for several years, and is a 

 good second-rate sort as to quality — the vine vigorous and pi-od ac- 

 tive to a fault, requiring a good deal of thinning out of fruit to have 

 it in perfection. Bunches large, flavor rich and vinous, rather than 

 sweet, and with perceptible native aroma — is likely to prove a profit- 

 able variety to grow for maiket, and a flxvorite with all who bestow 

 but ordinary treatment, i. e., neglect, as then it bears well, and is 

 better than Isabella, from being surer to ripen. 



Among those still newer, and less proved, having ripened fruit 

 here for the first time the past season, and that on vines only two or 

 three years planted, may be named the Delaware, a seedling from 

 Ohio, which, judging from what it proves where better known, seems 

 likely to take a higher rank than any above mentioned, not except- 

 ing the Diana. The vine a moderate grower at first, vigorous when 

 established, hardy, productive and early. The fruit small, both in 

 bunch and berry, but in quality equal to the grapes of Europe. 

 The farther developments of experience with regard to it will bo 

 looked for with much interest. 



The Rebecca is a seedling which originated in Hudson, N. Y., and 

 is in quality equal to the Delaware, and with this, may not improb- 

 ably inaugurate a new era in the culture of grapes in the open air in 

 the United States. Hitherto we have had no out-door grapes which 

 could compete in quality Avith foreign varieties, and these, as is well 

 known, can nowhere here be grown to perfection, except under glass, 

 on account of their liability to mildcAV in this climate. The bunch 

 and berry of the Rebecca are of medium size — fi'uit nearly whitc^ 

 with an amber tint in the sun, free from pulp, flesh fii-m and sweety 

 and of rich and delicious flavor. 



