246 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE 



yarietieg of our native grapes that were first cultivated. 

 Grape culture again rose with great spirit and enthusiasm. 



The public invested millions of dollars annually in these 

 new varieties. That the money spent on most of the new 

 seedlings was lost, is a sad fact of the records. 



Many of the new grapes that were of high quality either 

 proved entirely worthless for general vineyard culture, or 

 became popular only in certain localities. With the failure of 

 these new candidates in the different jsarts of the country, 

 heavy losses in time and money occurred. But all was not 

 lost, for experimenting with new grapes was the means of 

 educating the American grape-grower in the science of grape 

 culture. Especially has it taught that a vine, to successfully 

 mature its fruit, must have power in the leaf to withstand the 

 rough weather and extreme changes to which the American 

 climate is subject. We have made this step, — that by the leaf 

 of a new grape vine we can judge to some extent of its adapt- 

 ibility to the climate and of the probable quality of the fruit. 

 Now, when a promising new grape is introduced to us, we 

 desire first to test its vigor and hardiness before planting it 

 largely. And it was not until the origin of the Concord and 

 its dissemination, that American grape culture became a 

 substantial success. 



THE CONCORD 



was originated by E. W. Bull of Concord, Massachusetts, and 

 its fruit was first exhibited at the fair of the Massachusetts 

 Horticultural Society in 1853. The grape is so well known 

 that a lengthy description is unnecessary here. Suffice it to 

 say, that it sustains the reputation of being one of the largest 

 and most showy of the black grapes. Its quality is very good. 

 So hardy and vigorous is the vine, that it has stood the 

 severest test known to American grapes. None surpasses it in 

 productivenf^ss. It stands at the head of the most reliable and 

 uniform bearers. As a market grape it is the most profitable. 

 No grape is known that brings so good results to the inexperi- 



