SECRETARY'S REPORT. 22T 



kind of culture possible — i. e. trained to stakes in the open field ; 

 having: to contend also with a frost in June, which killed the first 

 set of shoots which pushed from the vines, (a very rare occurrence 

 in Maine,) which received all the first premiums awarded by the State 

 Agricultural Society at its exhibition, for grapes in open culture, 

 viz. : for the best single variety, (the Delaware ;) for the best three 

 varieties and for the best six varieties ; this shows what can be 

 done even under very unfavorable circumstances, but such con- 

 ditions involve a necessity for much greater care and skill in man- 

 agement than where the soil and exposure are favorable. Of be- 

 tween sixty and seventy vai-ieties under cultivation, some of which 

 were finally rejected the past season, and others have not yet 

 borne fruit, the following are noticed : 



Hartford Prolific. This is one of the best market varieties, 

 being of fair quality, ripening very early, the vine vigorous and 

 productive. Its principal fault is that it bears too much, and re- 

 quires more thinning out of fruit than most others. The bunches 

 are large, and the flavor vinous, rather than sweet. When grown 

 much in the shade, the berries are apt to drop when ripe ; but 

 this is not the case with bunches well exposed to the sun. It is 

 one of the few varieties with which it is advisable for this reason to 

 have the bunches thus exposed. 



Concord. This ripens well in many situations, but in others 

 proves rather too late. When well ripened, it is of very good> 

 quality. Bunches large and very handsome. The vine is hardy. 



Diana. A vigorous grower aud good bearer, the bunches of 

 medium size, the fruit of delicious quality. Needs a warm situar 

 tion, and warm, dry soil, and careful protection. In some seasons, 

 it is liable to the rot. 



Delaware. This was spoken of in the report above referred to, 

 as promising to take a very high rank. The three years experience- 

 since, shows that it has fully redeemed that promise, and it now 

 ranks as decidedly the best grape for open culture which has been 

 proved. My earliest planted vines have borne four years, and each' 



