200 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



this g-nipc to succeed fully as well as the Catawba iu vineyard culture, and to 

 be valuable both as a iine table grape, and for wine. It ripens a little later 

 than Concord. 



Irving, a large and fine white grape, has also impressed nic very favorably, 

 and is in habit of growth much like Scnasqua. Black Eagle, is another of I^Ir. 

 Undcrhill's hybrids of extra line quality, and seemingly as hard}', healthy and 

 productive as any of the hyljrids ; and ripens as early as the Delaware. All 

 these are grapes of higher character than the most of llogers' Hybrids, and 

 ■well worthy attention and careful trial. 



Mr. Ricketts has exhibited for many years a most extraordinary collection of 

 hybrid grapes, the most varied in character, the most extensive in number, 

 and as a whole, probably the finest in quality of any yet produced. As grown 

 by himself, at IS'ewburgh, on the Hudson liiver, they are really beautiful, and 

 many of them of extraordinary excellence. They are not yet in market ; and 

 although there is no reason to suppose they will differ in habits of growth from 

 other hybrid varieties, the fact that Mr. Ricketts himself grows and exhibits 

 these grapes year after year in wonderful perfection, proves that they can be 

 grown by others who may have favorable locations and who will bestow the 

 requisite care ; and it is certainly worth the care and attention of any lover of 

 the grape to produce such fruit as he yearly exhibits. If there are successes, 

 and valuable results to be obtained from persistent effort in hybridizing the 

 grape, I believe they will be obtained by the efforts of such enthnsiasts as Mr. 

 Ricketts. With a brief notice of the most promising seedlings of native origin, 

 and recent introduction, I will close this paper, already extended beyond my 

 intention. 



Since the introduction of the Concord, nearly all the new varieties that seem 

 promising to be of permanent value have been seedlings from this grape, or 

 some of its kindred. The JMartha, a white grape, grown by Samuel Miller, 

 many years ago, has some good qualities, and seems to retain considerable pop- 

 ularity in many places, on account of its color, for quality, and general health 

 and hardiness of vine and foliage; in these respects closely resembling its pa- 

 rent Concord. It is, however, smaller in size, and not as ]iroductive as the 

 Concord ; but with me it has been less liable to rot in unfavorable seasons. And 

 although it is more foxy in flavor, especially before it is fully matured, I think 

 most persons consider it a better table grape than the Concord. 



The Eva is another white grape of the same parentage, by the same grower, 

 and originated at the same time with the Martlia. While they have many 

 points of resemblance, Eva lias been pronounced the better grape ; less foxy, 

 liner flavored, with rather larger bunches, and of a little different color, being 

 even when fully ripe, of a light green, instead of a pale yellow, which is the 

 color of the Martha when perfectly rijicned in tlic sunlight. The two varieties 

 are however so nearly alike in all respects, that it is hard to point out the 

 difference. The Eva has also been quite free from rot, and apparently more 

 hardy in severe winters than cither the Martha or Concord — and is a little late 

 in ripening. 



Belvidcre, is another variety which originated in Belvidcre, 111., and was 

 brought to notice by Dr. Lake, of that place. I judge from its appearance 

 that it is a seedling either from Concord or Hartford. It is a very hardy and 

 healthy vine, very ]iroductive, bearing very large and handsome clusters, black 

 in color, in quality but little better than the Hartford, but ripening a few days 

 earlier. It has also the fault of falling from the stems easily, when over-ripe. 



