Muscat of Alexandria, and the Cannon Hall, both of them have dried somewhat ; but the 

 flavor of both, if anything, is improved by the process; the berriea being large. This drying is 

 not so objectionable as in small Grapes. 



Fcrrar or Black Portugal. A large part of the bunches have this year decayed or dried. Some 

 bunches remain fresh and full. 



The old Black Hamburg never has kept so well. Some vines have the entire crop yet on, fresh 

 and full, while on the other vines the fruit is much dried. 



Wilmcfs New, and the Victoria Hamburg have not kept so well as the old. In previous years 

 they have kept rather the longest and the freshest. 



IIardt Geapes for cultivation in the open air, have had several seedlings added to the list this 

 year. The most beautiful one undoubtedly is the Concord Grape. I do not cultivate it myself, 

 and can only speak of specimens as they have come under my observation. In flavor it ranks 

 in my estimation after the Isabella. For Massachusetts I should place Diana first, and Isabella 

 next. Further south, Catawba first, and the others in same order. 



Hybrid Graphs. — The past season I have fruited several Hybrid vines. Some of them have 

 given fruit of fine flavor, and free of pulp. Several of these have been shown at difi"erent Hor- 

 ticultural exhibitions. As early as 1848 it was stated in print that I had planted an Isabella in a 

 grapery, for the purpose of impregnation, with the expectation of obtaining a variety that would 

 mature early and be an improvement upon the kinds of hardy Grapes which we already had in 

 cultivation. At that time the seedlings, between forty and fifty in number, were growing, and 

 presented such a marked variation of foliage, as to give good hope of success. Had this been 

 otherwise, further trials by impregnation would have been made. Being aware of the incredu- 

 lity of many, in the certainty of the origin of a seedling, particularly when it presented a great 

 change from the parent, every means were taken to make the case certain. Tlie parent vine 

 was the only one at the time in the house, it being occupied with Peaches and Nectarines; part 

 of these have since been removed and vines substituted. To be sure that bees or no external 

 cause could eff"ect the impregnation and thus defeat my efforts, the vine was forced in January 

 and blossomed before vegetation commenced in the open air. When the embryo bunch 

 approached the time of blossoming, a few of the strongest were selected and the others, at least 

 all near those bunches, were cut away. Before the blossoming the buds were thinned out,, leav- 

 ing only one fourth part of the strongest and best placed of them. As they expanded, they were 

 constantly watched and the anthers at once cut away with sharp scissors. With a soft brush the 

 pollen from the European kinds was applied. This was collected from a forcing house and was 

 mixed together in a box, having been taken from Chasselas, Black Prince and Black Hainbitrg_ 

 When the impregnation took effect, the embryo swelled at once; when otherwise, it remained as 

 it was. Thus I was assured that any seed obtained must produce a Hybrid vine. When the 

 fruit ripened, the seed was collected and planted in soil which I felt certain could not have any 

 other seed of Grapes sown accidentally. The young vines have always been under my care. I 

 potted them and repotted them, and planted them out. Those already fruited have proved black 

 'n color, all but one, and this being so remarkably early and a very sweet fine fruit, th:>t I at 

 once considered it an acquisition. The seedlings were exposed to the winter, after they had 

 become somewhat grown. The tender ones were killed out, leaving over twenty that have 

 proved sufficiently hardy to withstand our winters, with a slight covering of straw around tluir 

 roots. This Grape has been named Allen's Hybrid. It must be proved now in exposed sittia- 

 tions before it can be fully known that it is adapted to culture in the open air in our climate. 



The vines that have fruited have all been under glass, not forced however, and in a very 

 favorable situation, fronting north of east, and shaded by large trees. It is questioned if Black 

 Hamburgs or Chasselas would ripen in this house. There is no doubt of this Grape provinir a 

 able one for early forcing and the cold grapery. It has been questioned that this is tl 

 this variety, and the fact that a white Grape can be produced from a black Grape 



