438 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



good foliage, has now been grown for some years ; but can hardly be said to have made 

 much advance in public estimation. Though a little earlier, it is inferior in quality to 

 the Delaware, with smaller clusters, which are often loose and straggling by reason of 

 imperfect blossoms. I can see very little to recommend it, beyond healthy foliage and 

 early ripening. 



The many grapes, both new and old, which have appeared from time to time of so- 

 called hybrid origin, I regarded as worthy of special mention, both for what has already 

 been achieved, and for what may be expected in the future. 



Allen's White Hybrid, a cross between Isabella and Golden Chasselas, originated by 

 Jno. Fiske Allen, of Salem, Mass., was, I believe, the first of its class, and was exhib- 

 ited at the meeting of the Mass. Horticultural Society in Sept., 185i. where it was 

 regarded with much interest, and on account of its fine quality and handsome appear- 

 ance, was extensively tested by enthusiastic planters, who hoped more from it than 

 was ever directly realized. 



Rather more fortunate were the hybrids of Mr. E. S. Rogers, also of Salem, Mass., 

 reported to have first fruited in the garden of their originator in • 1856. Out of some 

 sixty or more varieties only about a dozen are now found in our catalogues, and but 

 few of them have any very extensive reputation. Many of them have imperfect blos- 

 soms, and nearly all need protection in severe winters. Those which are still planted 

 to greater or less extent, are Agawam, Barry, Gaertner, Goethe. Herbert, Lindley, 

 Massasoit, Merrimack. Salem and Wilder. These succeed fairly well with a little extra 

 attention, in all good grape-growing localities, and they are mostly of good quality, 

 with large and handsome berries and clusters, and good long keepers. 



The hybrid grapes of Mr. Jas. H. Ricketts, of Newburgb, N. Y., as grown by himself 

 and for many years exhibited at various fairs and horticultural assemblages — notably 

 those of the American Pomological Society — were of such remarkable beauty and 

 excellence that they naturally excited the greatest interest in the minds of grape-grow- 

 ers, and awakened the belief that the finer varieties of the old world would soon be 

 rivaled by him and his co-workers, through the agency of skillful crossing and hybri- 

 dizing. Medals, premiums and high commendation followed Mr. Ricketts' exhibits 

 wherever they were made, and seemed to warrant and confirm this opinion. Notwith- 

 standing all this, it is greatly to be regretted that extended trial has failed to sustain 

 the high promise of these grapes in public estimation, and few, if any, of them appear 

 now to be regarded as having great, or permanent value. It is not because they are 

 lacking in high character ; nor because they cannot be successfully grown ; for Mr. 

 Ricketts was, by his wonderful exhibits, constantly demonstrating that it could be 

 done. It may be, however, that our grape-growers are not yet educated up to the 

 point of giving the necessary care and attention to produce the same splendid results; 

 or, perhaps, because they believed it would not pay. It may also be that there is want- 

 ing in the grapes themselves some element of hardiness requisite to adapt them to 

 general culture. 



After Mr. Ricketts, the work of Prof. T. V. Munson, of Denison, Texas, has followed 

 and although it may be too early to say anything positive or definite as to its impor- 

 tance, I believe he is, and has been for some years, doing more extensive work in striv- 

 ing to improve our native grapes than has ever been done or attempted by any other 

 person. He has from time to time sent me specimens of his productions; and as they 

 are grown in Texas, many of them are of very high character, remarkable not only 

 for fine appearance, but exceilefit in quality. I can only speak of two varieties from 

 personal experience as grown at the north, but they are now many of them 

 ■offered for sale and being tested in various localities, and I think we have reason to 

 hope that there will be found among the great number which Mr. Munson has produced 

 those which are suited to all localities where grapes are successfully grown. 



The variety named Brilliant, I have fruited at Delaware for three years. It is claimed 

 to be a cross of Rogers' Lindley and the Delaware. It has great vigor of growth, 

 healthy foliage, hardiness in winter and ample productiveness. Having perfect blos- 

 soms, the clusters have always been full and well-formed, medium to large, much like 

 well-grown Lindleys. Color like Delaware, but lighter, with more red. Quality inter- 

 mediate, but very nearly equal to Delaware. I have very favorable reports of its 

 success in Michigan, and certainly regard it as promising to be generally useful. 



The other variety of Mr. Munson's is one which he named, G. W. Campbell, as it was 

 grown from the seed of the Triumph, one of my earlier seedlings. It has fruited but 

 twice at Delaware. The vine is a moderate but healthy grower, with good foliage. 

 It bears medium-sized, long clusters, berries the size of Delawares or a little larger; 

 color white; quality very good — ripens a little after the Delaware. 



