272 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



The Concord fully maintains the high reputation which it has 

 attained, as the best seedling grape yet raised. Three bunches, 

 weighing two and one-half pounds, and growing on one spur 

 twelve inches long, were exhibited by the originator. They 

 looked like fine specimens of the Hamburgh, and excited the 

 admiration of the beholders. If it maintains its reputation — 

 and after six years of trial we consider this assured — it is the 

 greatest acquisition yet made to our hardy grapes. 



This grape was raised from seed by Mr, Bull, about twelve 

 years since, from another seedling already obtained, with intent 

 to test the " Yan Mons theory" of successive reproduction and 

 consequent amelioration. Mr. Bull has devoted himself to this 

 purpose for many years. His success has only stimulated him to 

 new eiforts, and he has now thousands of seedlings, some of 

 which show a marked change of foliage and wood from their 

 wild prototype, and give promise of still further improvement. 



The terrible oideum is infecting all the wine districts of Eu- 

 rope. It is said tliat the wine crop of this year will not be one- 

 fifth of the former average yield, and this is the third year of 

 failure; so that the vintagers are, many of them, cutting up their 

 vines and planting corn. The vineyards of Madeira are said to 

 be nearly exterminated, and her inhabitants to have suiTered 

 actual want. The golden vintage of the Madeira " South Side " 

 bids fair to become a myth and be forgotten. It is written that 

 the Old World shall find its rejuvenescence in the New. Is it 

 not possible that she will find among our American grapes the 

 alternative for his too tender Syrian brothers, some vigorous 

 congener which shall laugh to scorn oideum and all other grape- 

 like weaknesses and debilities ? And if, in these peaceful tri- 

 uipphs of practical art, in horticulture as in other arts, we shall 

 in some measure repay to the Old World the obligations laid 

 upon us by a Duhamel, an Evelyn, a Van Mons, a Loudon, 

 then shall we have achieved more than an annexation : we shall 

 have created — we shall have given. 



Our New England climate is not adapted to the foreign grape ; 

 our summers are too short, our winters too severe. Nor do the 

 best varieties of native birth, such as the Catawba and Isabella, 

 succeed, except in cities or sheltered situations. Plainly we 

 must have another grape ; hardy it must be as our native oaks; 



