GRAPES IN MASSACHUSETTS. 



this Grape? Its appearance was, in my judgment, slightly different from the Isabella, 

 its time of ripening quite different, its flavor slightly inferior, I am well aware that 

 difference of soil and culture may have caused all this seeming difference, but may it 

 not also be — is it not the more probable that, in the course of propagation by the 

 Messrs. WiNSHip, a chance seedling has been produced, which has sailed under false 

 colors until now ? Is it easier to believe that with no extraordinaiy culture or advan- 

 tao-es, Mr. Cuttkr has ripened the same variety of Grape at least ten days or a fortnight 

 earlier than all others ! It may be, yet I still doubt. 



After the annual exhibition, the fii'st weekly exhibition was held on the 30th of 

 September, at which time a remarkably fine display was made of Concord, Isabella, 

 Diana, Cataivba, Pond's Seedling, Stetson's No. 4, and the "-Breck Grape," also, Black 

 Hamburg, perfectly ripened from open culture. For Isabella exhibited at this time, 

 Mr. Cutter took the first premium. 



At a session of the Fruit Committee, held October 7th, Mr. Samuel Downer presented 



a seedling called the Grape, and said to come from the Catawba. It, however, 



bore a nearer resemblance to the Isabella, though its bunches and berries were much 

 larger, and its flavor more than equal to it. 



On the 14th of October, Mr. Joseph Breck exhibited Wyman's Seedling, as to the 

 origin of which no reliable statement is given. In size, appearance, and flavor, it was 

 decidedly superior, and received the unanimous award of the Fruit Committee, as the 

 best new variety of the season. Its time of ripening is not fully ascertained, but it is 

 asserted to be the same with the Isabella, if not earlier. If this is the case, all who 

 have seen it will agree it is a decided acquisition. 



In addition to the above, Mr. Allen sent to the Society, about the 1st of September, 

 a few berries of a hybrid Grape grown under glass, which has the true foliage of our 

 native Grapes, the fruit of which, however, resembles the White Chassclas. It was 

 not tested. Mr. Allen is very sanguine it will prove to be hardy and a great acquisition. 



On the 9 th of December, Mr. Allen exhibited from his retarding-house, two other 

 hybrids; one of which was free from pulp and foxiness, and somewhat resembled 

 Miller's Burgundy. In the other case, Mr. Allen has not dogged the fox. 



These results of the past year are a certain proof that we shall soon be a " Grape- 

 growing State," and the end is not yet. 



In concluding, will you allow me, Mr. Editor, in expressing my obligations for your 

 favorable comments upon my crop of foreign Grapes, to correct an error in the amount. 

 In the year 1853 my crop was 5,000 pounds, and is but little less this year. I should 

 call myself a poor cultivator, if I had not averaged over 3,000 pounds for the past five 

 years. I state this, because, having large graperies, the amount is no more than nnglit 

 be reasonably expected. 



[We are much obliged to Mr. Strong for the information he has communicated in 

 regard to new Grapes. Massachusetts is taking the lead in this matter, and we wish 

 her cultivators that success which their taste and energy so justly merit. 



In regard to Mr. Cutter's Grape, we must say, in deference to Mr. Strong's good 

 judgment in such matters, that we entertain no doubt as to their being Isabellas. Here, 

 ochester, and indeed, in all localities, there are weeks of difference between 



iods of ripening of this Grape in diflerent soils and exposures. Mr. Pai 



