THE ZINFINDAL GRAPE. 



129 



extra care, but we know the Isabella will bear 

 some crop when on good ground, even when 

 neglected, which pi'obably no foreign grape 

 will do in our climate, and the Isabella has 

 for this and many other reasons, a preference 

 for general culture. 



Mr. E,. observes that " it is passing strange 

 the fact (my high estimate of this Z. grape,) 

 should not have transpired here among my 

 associates in horticulture, &c., and that not a 

 whisper had ever been heard from me of so 

 high estimation of this fruit." 



It is not at all surprising that after such 

 reflections as these, coming from any respecta- 

 ble quarter, you should be puzzled as you say in 

 your note, and wish to hear what Dr. M. will say. 

 If Mr. II. intends to say that not a whisper had 

 been heard of what I deny ever having said, he 

 is right. But there is abundant proof that I 

 have not failed, both before he was connected 

 with the N. H. Ilort. Society, and since, to 

 manifest my high estimation of this variety 

 of grape, and the gentlemen at our pomo- 

 logical meetings, that is, those who often at- 

 tended them, have frequently had their sight 

 and taste gratified with this fruit. A number 

 of the gentlemen of the Hort. Society are and 

 have been, successfully cultivating them, and 

 ■appreciate them both for open culture and 

 under glass. The bunches exhibited by me 

 at the Fruit Convention, some of them weigh- 

 ing one pound and a half, were the product 

 of open culture. 



Two years since I gave vines to some of the 

 officers of the American Institute — to Gen. 

 Talmadge, the President, and others — who it 

 is likely, will soon test their vtdue for city 

 culture. 



I have on a small plot of ground, ten or 

 twelve varieties of foreign grapes — and not 

 one of them bears so soon after transplanting, 

 or grows so vigorously, or bears so freely as the 

 Zinfindal. 



I obtained this grape formerly of Mr. W, 



Kenrick, of Newton, Mass., having requested 

 him to procure me the best grape, all things 

 considered, Boston afforded, and he obtained 

 this of Mr. Perkins, to supply the order. I 

 have cultivated it both in and out of a grape 

 house ever since. The fruit out of doors, this 

 season looks the best. 



Some years ago I planted roots of it in a 

 distant part of my grounds, and had to protect 

 them with nets, from birds, but afterward 

 built a second grape house, both to protect 

 them and cultivate some other kinds with 

 them. 



I have no interest to subserve in this com- 

 munication, dearer to me than the cause of 

 truth. 



"Amicus Plato, amicus Socrates, sid ma- 

 jor arnica, Veritas." 



Very respectfully yours, 



Alfred S. Monson. 



^'eu--Haven, Ct.,July 23, 1S50. 



P. S. I beg leave to state tliat I resigned 

 the office of President of the New-Haven 

 Horticultural Society the last spring. I do 

 tills through the medium of your publication, 

 no notice of it having been given in any other 

 paper. A. S. M. 



To Dr. Monson — Dear Sr : The Zin- 

 findal grape which you gave me, answered 

 your recommendations and my expectations. 

 The next year after it was planted in my gar- 

 den, it produced grapes which took the first 

 premium at the Hort. Society's exhibition, 

 for foreign grapes cultivated in the open air. 

 It was as early as the first of October, if not 

 the last week in September. It was planted 

 in sand dug from a cellar, manured with corn- 

 iest made of wood ashes and peat. I think it 

 more productive than any foreign grape I have 

 cultivated. I have cultivated the Miller's 

 (Purple Madeira,) since the year 1799. I es- 

 teem it a good grape, but less productive than 

 the Z. Yours with esteem 



Eli. Ives. 



