SELECTIONS OF BEST FRUITS. 



true Sage grape, or else Mr. Sage himself has not, because, as the following letter from 

 another part of the country will show, he has sent the fruit to others, and with the like 

 results. Ed. 



Dear Sir — Being a constant reader of the Horticulturist, I occasionally meet with an 

 article, to which I am tempted to reply. Such an one is contained in the December num- 

 ber of the Horticulturist, (p. 575) in reference to the celebrated Sage grape, so highly 

 praised by Mr. Allen in his work on the vine, which work fell into my possession soon 

 after it first came out. 



On seeing the Sage grape therein described, (as would be the case with almost any 

 green one) I immediately ordered a vine, which is now well established, and should bear 

 handsomely by next summer; but like others, (as T understand,) I could not wait to see 

 the fruit on my vine, (which by the way cost me just $5, by the time I received it,) I or- 

 derel a box of the fruit from Mr. H. E. Sage, of Portland, Conn., the originator of it. 

 With what impatience I awaited them, can well be imagined by any one who has read 

 Mr. Sage's descriptions of it in Allen's work. They came, in sound order; before open- 

 ing the box however, T smelt a fox, but here they were, to me to a tune of a dollar and 

 fifty cents, as freight on the box, which had in it about three quarts of the Sage grapes, 

 exclusive of the price of the grapes, (a bill for which has never been sent me yet.) On 

 opening the box, I was really surprised at the enormous size of the fruit, but on tasting 

 them ! ! — you have tasted and described them, Mr. Downing, that will do. It would have 

 tickled one who has eaten good grapes, too see the watery eyes and coughing fits, that 

 about a dozen of the largest of the grapes caused among a party, where T first opened the 

 box. I had written to N. Longworth, Esq., on the subject of this grape; he stated that 

 he had seen it about Philadelphia, that it was " a fall blooded F'ox grape, and might 

 answer as musket balls in time of loar," which was, in my opinion, a pretty appro- 

 priate remark. If I had mj^ choice to be shot with one of them, or swallow half a dozen, 

 I of course would prefer the latter punishment however. 



An old saying is, give every dog his due. As a table or wine grape the Sage will always 

 be excluded; but here let me say in its favor (for it will be roughly handled, which indeed 

 the grape individually can very well bear,) that, for making excellent jeZ/i/, it has in my 

 estimation no superior, if even an equal; while grapes of a much finer quality for eating, 

 or wine, make a very thin juice, and must be boiled down to give body, the Sage grape 

 makes a thick syrup, and retains a peculiar aroma which suits exceedingl3\ I only men- 

 tion this quality of the Sage grape, as a sort of plea of compassion, as we all know a fall- 

 ing reputation receives a kick from every one. If the Sage grape is as good a bearer as it 

 has been represented, I think, honestly, one vine might be well worth cultivation. 



Yours respectfully, Samuel Miller. 



Union Cottage. N. Leb., Dec. 26, 1851. 



SELECTIONS OF BEST FRUITS. 



BY P. P., NEW- YORK. 



What is the question, Mr. Editor, that more of your correspondents are likely to ask 

 about this time of year, than any other.' " What are the best Fruits.'" They are busy 

 head-work, while the ground is frozen up — planting orchards and fruit gardens 

 ation; just as some people build castles in the air. They sit by the fire-side 



