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THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY 



[October, 



We do know that what we call mildew and rot 

 come from minute species of fungus that require 

 very nice combinations of heat and moisture to 

 have their spores germinate. Those who believe 

 that fungi can attack the healthiest vegetation 

 would, therefore, "guess" that the fungus would 

 not germinate in the dry atmosphere. Again we 

 do know that the grapevine is very sensitive to the 

 loss of its root fibres. Black rust on the roots, 

 Phylloxera on the roots, a little more water than 

 can rapidly pass away round the roots, or rather 

 young fibrous roots, weakens a vine, and then 

 mildew and rot hasten to get their work in on the 

 foliage and fruit. So then those who believe that 

 fungus only follows weakened vegetation, point to 

 the dry weather and "guess" that the roots could 

 not but be healthy in such a season.— Ed. G. M.] 



Small Berries on Lindley Grapes.— Mr. 

 Lorin Blodget says : " I pick today a few bunches 

 of grapes from the Lindley vine, Rogers' hybrid No. 

 9, which are clearly affected by a cross fertilization 

 with a Delaware vine alongside of them ; a much 

 younger vine, and for the first time large enough to 

 give opportunity. I send you a small box picked 

 from a high point, 35 feet, and on the eastern 

 roof slope, where it has been ten years in full 

 bearing. They are not quite ripe, but the spar- 

 rows are at them, and have already thinned out 

 the bunches, so I must cut them. 



"The smaller grapes are both on the bunch 

 among large ones, of the usual size, and often 

 make nearly a full bunch of themselves. They 

 are without seeds in most cases. 



" The great Lindley vine was severely affected 

 by the winter, and has but half a crop. The 

 western extension was shortened 35 feet, and the 

 northern part came out a month late. Until the 

 last of May much of it remained dormant. Later, 

 it has grown rapidly, with many shoots 13 to 16 

 feet, of this year's growth. It is still an enormous 

 vine, and now in full vigor. Delawares are not 

 ripe, by a full month. ' 



[We are very glad to' have these specimens, be- 

 cause they furnish the occasion to point out how 

 even the most intelligent may at times be mis- 

 taken, and as accounting for the many statements 

 that have been made from time to time, favorable 

 to a belief of an immediate influence of pollen in 

 fruit. Here are bunches of Lindley having many 

 of the normal size, and many small like Delaware, 

 and other bunches in Which all the berries are 

 small, and one may well be excused for supposing, 

 a Delaware being near, that they were Delaware 



bunches produced by the action of the Delaware 

 pollen on the flower of the Lindley. Beyond this 

 fact ol small size there is, however, nothing to in- 

 dicate any difference from Lindley. The color of 

 Lindley is like the Delaware, so we cannot infer 

 Delaware from that, and flavor is not Delaware 

 but Lindley. But the absence of seeds tells the 

 whole story. We know from experience with 

 grapes that crosses produce as perfect seeded 

 berries as the originals. A Delaware and a Lind- 

 ley, crossed together, would produce berries bear- 

 ing seeds. These having no seeds evidences 

 against the idea of the influence of Delaware pol- 

 len. But another strong reason is that all hot 

 house grape growers are familiar with the vines 

 often bearing grapes not half the usual size, and 

 wholly seedless, and this in houses all of one vari- 

 ety and where the pollen influence of some other 

 variety is therefore wholly out of the question. 



It is usual to refer the cause to something that 

 interferes with the proper nutrition of the vine or 

 flowers in the bunch, after the flowers have been 

 fertilized enough by their own pollen to start 

 them on the fruiting track. Nutrition ceases, from 

 some cause, after fertilization, but before the min- 

 ute embryos have started to become perfect seeds. 

 This is the reasoning of intelligent grape growers, 

 but we do not know that it has been demonstrated 

 by absolute proof. — Ed. G. M.] 



Lutie Grape. — This is an accidental find on 

 the grounds of Dr. Chisholm, near Nashville, and 

 believed to be a seedling. It is at any rate differ- 

 ent from any variety known to the Doctor, who is 

 well versed in grape knowledge, having some fifty 

 varieties to compare it with. It ripens earlier 

 than any he has — about 15th of July. Some sent 

 to us reached here on the Sth of August, but after 

 their long journey the berries had fallen from the 

 steins, and had somewhat fermented. There 

 were 78 berries, and appeared to have been two 

 bunches. So far as we could judge under these 

 conditions, it appeared to be an excellent kind. It 

 is claimed by those who know it, that it is perhaps 

 the most desirable variety for the South that has 

 ever been introduced. It is not only early, but 

 has a large bunch, with the general qualities equal 

 to the Delaware, and the growth as strong as the 

 best of the well known kinds. These points should 

 certainly commend it strongly to grape growers. 



Capers. — A Southern correspondent would like 

 to know whether any one has tried to raise Capers 

 — Capparis spinosa — in the South, and with what 

 result ? 



