DECEMBER MEETING. 20a 



CROSS-BREEDING GRAPES. 



The Secrctiiry had addressed a letter of inquiry to Mr. Georf^c Ifaskell to- 

 ascertain liis success in cross-breeding grai)es, to which lie read tiie following 

 rei)ly : 



Ipswich, Mass., Nov. 15, 1877. 

 Ml'. Chas. W. Garfield: 



Deak Sir — Your letter has come to hand. I comply with your request witln 

 pleasure, and mail a few copies of my pamphlet to you for your use and distri- 

 bution. That will give you some indication as to my success, for all that I 

 have stated therein as to the qualities of the vines and fruits is correct, but is- 

 not the "whole truth, for I feared if I stated their merits as strongly as they 

 deserve it would excite distrust of all my statements. 



The quality of several of these fruits is very superior. Indeed, from ten of 

 ray best grapes I can select one or more equal to any foreign grape for the table ■ 

 in any one desired quality: in tenderness of flesh equal to the Chasselas, in. 

 size and beauty of berry equal to the Black Hamburgh, in flavor equal to the^ 

 Frontignan, and in sweetness superior to either of them. I understand what I. 

 am saying, and that I am saying it to intelligent gentlemen. I know what L 

 affirm. But, most of these ten, though not later than the Catawba, arc too 

 late to ripen here in the open air, though they have fruited and ripened finely 

 in a cold house, and they are well w^orth growing in that manner. 



A few of them are here subject somewhat to mildew, which is another objec- 

 tion to them, although the vines have lived and jn'ospered here in the open air 

 for ten or more years. 



There are others on the list that are tolerably good in quality, early, and very 

 healthy and productive in vine, and that may be valuable where other varieties- 

 will not succeed. 



There are, also, several varieties from the cross with the Frost or Pigeon. 

 Grape (of the Clinton class), which have very strong and healthy vines, medium 

 berries, very large clusters, and which may prove valuable for wine resembling- 

 port. 



My success, as you see, has not been complete, and I am now crossing and 

 planting in the hope of getting the best fruit to ripen early and resist mddew. 

 I shall probably keep at it as long as I live, but as I must die sometime I cannot 

 promise ultimate success in all I strive for. I hope to live long enough to see 

 my labors appreciated — compensated in other ways I do not expect to be. 



I will only add that the vines sent to Tennessee last spring were sold to the- 

 University of East Tennessee, at Knoxville. I am informed that several 

 would have borne fruit this season, but it was not allowed : that the vines are 

 entirely healthy, and have grown wonderfully. President Humes has expressly 

 stated that I might refer enquirers about them to him, but I have not done it 

 publicly as I did not like to trouble the officers of the University witli such 

 correspondence. But if the officers of your society, or the Faculty of your- 

 Agricultural College desire to know more about the growth, appearance and 

 healthiness of the vines, I have no doubt President Humes would be pleased to- 

 Q-ive the information. 



Very truly yours, 



GEORGE HASKELL.. 



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