226 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



quite as strong in growth, and not quite as productive. Its clusters are 

 rather smaller, berries larger. In character and flavor, Concord, but ripen- 

 ing from ten days to two weeks earlier. 



Francis B. Hayes — a rather handsome little white grape, originated by 

 Mr. B. J. Moore, the producer of Moore's Early, I regard as promising, as 

 it ripens a week or ten days before Concord, and' is really very good in qual- 

 ity, sweet, rich, and almost free from "foxiness. " In general habit of 

 growth it is much like the Martha, but handsomer in color, and earlier 

 ripening. The skin also, though thin, is more consistent, and I think will 

 bear handling and shipping much better. 



Vergennes is a handsome red grape, which has never failed here to bear 

 and ripen well, though a little variable. It has generally ripened about with 

 the Concord, but the. past season it was a week to ten days later. This I 

 attribute to the heavy crop, as it was allowed to over bear. It, however, 

 ripened, both fruit and wood, well. Has shown no rot, but foliage has 

 mildewed a little in unfavorable seasons, was quite healthy the past year. 



Early Victor — Though not as early as at first claimed, it has many good 

 qualities. It seems entirely, hardy and perfectly healthy; and I have 

 neither seen nor heard of its being affected with mildew or rot. Here, it 

 ripens about with the Worden. The berries and clusters are only medium 

 in size ; but it is very productive, and the fruit is pure-flavored without fox- 

 iness, and so much better than Hartford, Champion or Telegraph that when 

 it becomes better known I think it will supersede and take their place, 

 unless it is itself superseded by some of the newer kinds which prove better 

 and earlier. 



Jefferson — This is also a variety which I prize highly, though it requires 

 protection in our severest winters and is ten days to two weeks later than 

 Concord. But its large, handsome red clusters and its high, pure and 

 delightful flavor, much like, but even better than, the Iona, make it worth 

 all the extra trouble necessary to grow it successfully. It is a strong grower 

 and productive ; and when the thermometer does not go much below zero 

 does not require winter protection. There are other varieties that I 

 regard as promising, among which may be named Ulster Prolific and 

 Pouglikeepsie Red; but I have not had sufficient experience with them to 

 say more. I may mention that I had several seedlings from the Niagara in 

 bearing this year, and that I saw others from two different sources. With- 

 out exception all were white ; some were smaller and some about the same 

 size as the Niagara. Several seemed better flavored and entirely free from 

 the foxy taste or odor; and one of the latter was at least two weeks earlier. 

 It now seems as though the famous Niagara may become even more famous 

 as the parent of a race superior to itself. Some of its seedlings are certainly 

 remarkable. New grapes are increasing with great rapidity. I have had 

 samples of new grapes sent me the past season in greater numbers than 

 ever before and, as a rule, of much higher quality. Several of them would 

 have been worth a fortune a few years ago and are really fine grapes as com- 

 pared with the best. But the standard of excellence has so far advanced 

 that it now requires a grape of very high character to make an impression. 

 But we are progressing permanently and surely — and the day is coming 

 when American grapes will stand second to none upon the earth. The 

 phylloxera-stricken vineyards of Europe are even now being replenished 

 with them. There will be failures with inferior kinds ; and though we may 



