3S2 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Of many varieties, plants of fruiting age have proved unproductive 

 during the past season; a result perhaps due, in whole or in part, to 

 unseasonably cold winds from Lake Michigan during the blossoming 

 season. 



Unseasonably cool weather also occurred during the season of ripening, 

 which was from two to three weeks later than usual. Owing apparently 

 to these facts, certain varieties have failed to fully develop tbeir usual 

 quality. 



Adirondac originated at the foot of the A.dirondac mountains, near Lake 

 Champlain. It was first brought to notice by the exhibit of beautiful, 

 ripe, luscious clusters at a meeting of the American Pomological Society, 

 at Boston, and a report of the committee on native fruits commended it 

 very highly, but away from its original locality it has generally proved a 

 decided failure. 



Agawam, alphabetically, leads the entire list of the Rogers' hybrids, of 

 which seventeen appear in the foregoing tables. While they afford a sur- 

 prisingly high average result of a single set of pollenations of vinifera 

 upon our wild hibrnsca, it is doubtful if any of them possess qualities 

 which will insura their permanent popularity. With these, as well as 

 (with rare exceptions) with all hybrids with vinifera, the increased 

 liability to mildew in many if not most American climates, demands more 

 careful and thorough preventive treatment than most cultivators are 

 accustomed to bestow. 



To this as to most general rules, experience here would indicate 

 occasional exceptions. Among such we especially note the Downing, 

 which, although in foliage and habit of growth giving decided evidence of 

 vinifera parentage, has proved healthy and productive, of very large 

 clusters, of superior quality, often keeping in good condition till March, 

 with only ordinary care. Much the same may also be said of Jefferson 

 and Mills. 



Brighton, though slightly liable to mildew, is so admirable in quality as 

 to richly deserve a place in the home plantation. It needs the proximity 

 of some other variety as a fertilizer. 



Delaware is, by many experts, believed to be partially of vinifera parent- 

 age. Here it has proved healthy and productive, although experience 

 elsewhere would indicate that it may be fastidious as to soils or modes of 

 treatment. 



Beagle, Bell, Blanco, Brilliant, Early Market, Presley and Rommel are 

 seedlings by T. V. Muns >n, the noted expert of Denison, Texas. Several 

 years trial indicates that they are not adapted to the climate of this locality. 



Berlin, white, and Hosford, black, are seedlings originated by George 

 Hosford of Ionia, Michigan. They are understood to be of pure labrusca 

 parentage (Concord seedlings), and experience so far affords promise of 

 value as market varieties. 



Chidester 3, purple, and Chidester 4, red, received in 1892; also Lyon, 

 white, received in 1895, are seedlings by C. P. Chidester of Battle Creek, 

 Michigan. No. 3 is very early, and Lyon is large, beautiful and of fine 

 quality. All are healthy and vigorous. 



Elaine, Guinevra, Honey, Iris, Michigan, Olita, Pulpless and Vesta are 

 seedlings by 0. Engle of Paw Paw, Michigan. All are understood to be 

 from seeds of Salem, or some other of the Rogers' hybrids, and hence to 

 belong with the family, lab. x vin. Many of them manifest more or less 



