SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 225 



before the Concord ; but it has not been what I call fully ripe, or in its best 

 condition, quite as early as the Concord. But, unlike the Concord and 

 others of its class, it does not lose character or quality by hanging on the 

 vine a month after full maturity. And after being taken from the vine is 

 one of the best, long-keeping varieties I have ever grown. Judging from 

 my experience so far, I should plant it with about as much confidence of 

 success as the Concord or Worden. 



The Niagara — I have only fruited the present season. I find the vine a 

 vigorous grower and very productive. Berries and clusters average larger 

 than Empire State. Their period of ripening is, or was the past season, 

 about the same. The foliage of Niagara was quite healthy this year; last 

 season showed mildew, but not to any serioiis extent. It is a showy and 

 handsome grape, and when fully ripe, as good as the Concord in quality, 

 but always has rather too much of the foxy taste and odor to please my taste. 

 Its performance was quite satisfactory the past season, and wherever it suc- 

 ceeds well, it will, I think, prove a profitable variety, and not more liable to 

 mildew and rot than the average native varieties. 



Worden has now been grown a good many years, and in some places is ex- 

 tensively planted. Keportsregarding it are strongly conflicting, especially 

 as to its earliness ; but the general verdict is favorable. I have grown and 

 fruited it since its first introduction, and have seen it in other localities. It 

 is very much like the Concord in its general characteristics. The foliage 

 differs slightly; and the canes a little more slender. The clusters average 

 rather larger; berries about the same; flavor a little more sprightly ; pulp 

 tender and more juicy than Concord ; ripens here from a week to ten days 

 earlier, according to the season. It has the same tender and easily-broken 

 skin, and does not keep in good condition very long after maturity, either 

 upon the vine or after gathering. In some seasons it has shown a tendency 

 to "shell off" from the stems if a little over-ripe. Its principal, if not its 

 only, superiority to the Ooncord, consists in its earlier ripening. 



Pocklington — I have now had in bearing for several years, and it has im- 

 proved each year. The past season it bore so abundantly, its clusters were 

 so large and handsome, it ripened so well, and proved so generally accept- 

 able as to quality, I came to the conclusion that it had been generally under- 

 estimated. Like the Niagara it is too "foxy" to suit my taste; but of the 

 many who tasted both, in comparison, in my presence the past season, all, 

 with a single exception, pronounced the Pocklington the better grape. The 

 Niagara seems to be the stronger grower; the Pocklington hardier in winter, 

 with foliage less liable to mildew. 



Brighton — I think deservedly growing in favor. A strong grower, good 

 bearer, clusters large and handsome, quality very good, and ripens early. 

 In very unfavorable seasons the foliage has mildewed slightly, and it cannot 

 endure very severe winters without some protection. When the ground is 

 covered with snow, during the coldest weather, simply laying the vines upon 

 the earth is sufficient. But when the thermometer goes to 30° and more 

 below zero, as it does here, at Delaware, sometimes, with little or no snow, 

 an additional covering of a few inches of earth is needed. With this pro- 

 tection, Brighton can be grown about as successfully as Concords or Wordens. 



Moore's Early has also gained much popularity, and may be regarded as a 

 standard variety, especially for northern regions, where early ripening is in- 

 dispensable. It is a Concord in habit of growth and foliage. Perhaps not 



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