GKAPES AND EOSES. 



yet been ascertained. However, tlaere is one way of pruning the rod like a walking- 

 stick (the renewal or long cane system), and another with spurs of one eye or more. 

 The vines here, that I am alluding to, were pruned in the former way, and have done 

 remarkably well this year. I measured some leaves of the Black Ilamhurgh, which 

 I found to be 13 by 13 inches; and those of the Muscat of Alexandria, 13 by 14 

 inches, and wood three inches in diameter, of this years growth, and fruiting uncom- 

 monly. The bunches of course are not large, which could not be expected the first 

 year. One bunch of the Royal Chasselas measures 12 inches in length, and several 

 berries of the Black IIamhur(jh measure 3^ inches in circumference. 



GRAPES AND ROSES. 



BY WILLIAM IL SCOTT, ADEIAN, MICH. 



A CORRESPONDENT from Michigan asks : " Why is it that some of your Rochester 

 pomologists so set up the Clinton Grape ?" adding, that it is hardy and prolific ; and 

 that is all he can say in its favor. To say that a moderately good Grape is hardy in 

 all of our northern States, is what can not be truthfully said of any of the most noted 

 sorts — the Catawba or Isabella, for instance. It can be said of the Clinton; and 

 because it is very comfortable to have the second best when the best fails, the Roches- 

 ter pomologists, or the Michigan pomologists, may well recommend the Clinton. 

 During ten years observation of the habits of this Grape, I have several times seen 

 large vines of the Isabella nearly killed to the ground by autumnal frosts, while the 

 Clinton remained quite uninjured. The latter has never failed to produce large crops. 

 There is something foxy in its flavor, especially if not thoroughly ripe ; but it has 

 much less pulp than the Isabella, and is wanting in that peculiar slimy coating that 

 envelopes its pulp. 



The Catawba is seldom ripened here on trellises. In this latitude it should always 

 be grown upon close walls with a southern exposure. I am so thoroughly convinced 

 of the superiority of this mode of culture, that I will have no more training on arbors 

 or trellises. Grapes trained on the walls of my buildings are quite two weeks in 

 advance of my neighbors' upon trellises. The Alexander is so much better when cul- 

 tivated in this way, that a noted poraologist failed to recognize the fruit, although he 

 had long been accustomed to see it cultivated in the best wine region of the States. 

 Notwithstanding the past winter was a very trying one, not three inches of the 

 extremities of the large vines growing upon the sides of the barn were afiected. 



This has been a hard season for Roses. The June bloom was a good one, but the 

 Perpetuals have suffered from long drouth ; and now, while they should be making a 

 good display, are almost roseless. Among a not very large variety — say twenty 

 kinds — I have found quite a diversity of good qualities. For several years the 

 Prince Albert has played treacherous in its June flowering. It has shot out its 

 p buds early, numerous, and full of promise; but while my expectations were 



