EDITOR'S TABLE. 



iEOItol''^ I^Me. 



The Concoed Grape.— Numerous correspondents write as that they were disappointed 

 at not finding an expression of our opinion of this fruit, in the October number. "We will 

 give it now. It was presented, in large quantities, before the Pomological Society at Boston, 

 and since then we have been able to examine it carefully at home, Mr. Bull having politely 

 sent us a box of them. It is a large, handsome Grape, both bunch and berry resembling 

 the Isabella in appearance, save that the bunch is usually more compact and the berry 

 rounder and has a thicker coat of bloom. It has the same foxy perfume and flavor of the 

 Isalella, but stronger ; Avhen a few berries are eaten, a prickling sensation is produced on 

 the tongue. This has been remarked by all who have tested it, as far as we know. It is 

 very juicy, and we think will prove to be an excellent wine grape. For the table, however, 

 we do not consider it equal in quality to the Isabella; and in this opinion nearly all disin- 

 terested parties, whom we have conversed with, agree. It was tested and compared with 

 the Isahella^ at Boston, grown at Weston, not far from Concord ; and not one on the com- 

 mittee considered it as good. We have again compared it with Isabellas grown here, and 

 the latter has been unanimously pronounced superior. 



Yet we regard the Grape as an important acquisition, as ripening earlier than either the 

 Catawba or Isabella^ and therefore likely to furnish northern sections with a Grape, where 

 heretofore no good Grapes have ripened. It may be two weeks earlier than the Isadella^ 

 but not more, we think; for ripe Isalellas^ fully ripe and excellent^ grown within ten miles 

 or less of Concord, were shown beside it at Boston. The location, however, must have 

 been a very favorable one; for most people seemed surprised to see it ripe so early, and 

 some, Mr. Hovey included, asserted very positively that they were not Isabellas but verita- 

 ble Concords. Mr. Hovey adhered to this opinion, we believe, until he went out to Weston 

 and examined the vine from Avhich the Isabellas were gathered. From this one would 

 suppose that there is a great similarity between the two Grapes ; and so there is ; but the 

 form and flavor are both dififerent, as we have already said, and the canes of the Concord 

 are much more slender than those of the Isabella. 



We believe the merits of this Grape have been exaggerated. It has been described as 

 being '■'■free from all pul/p^'' and of a very rich and luscious flavor. Mr. Bull himself, 

 however, described it as having " very little pulp," which is nearer the truth. We think 

 it will, with the same treatment, be about the size of the Isabella. It appears to have a 

 vigorous constitution, likely to escape mildew and other diseases to a great extent ; and 

 this is a very important quality. On the whole, we congratulate Mr. Bull on his success- 

 ful attempt at raising seedling Grapes ; it aflTords him ample encouragement to continue 

 his labors in this direction. 



The Flore dea Serrea for September last, has a plate of the Maranta Waraeewiczii, a 

 Central American species, with magnificent foliage, beautifully variegated, like the well- 

 known M. Zebrina. The Cissua discolor proves to be a great acquisition to this class 

 variegated-leaved plants, A very interesting and beautiful collection might now be 



