48 



The HortkidUiiist and Journal 



Ives, from Ohio ; Martha and Telegraph, 

 from Pennsylvania ; and Belvidere, from 

 Illinois. In the way of improvement in 

 this class of hardy natives, I will mention a 

 new variety, from Zanesville, named Lady, 

 specimens of which are, for the first time, on 

 the tables of the society. It is a pure Con- 

 cord seedling ; and in habit of growth and 

 foliage, scarcely distinguishable from its pa- 

 rent. From three years' observation, I 

 should say it is its equal in vigor, health and 

 hardiness. Color light green — would be 

 called white — bunch rather less than Con- 

 cord; size of berries fully equal. In qual- 

 ity rich and delicate, without hard pulp, 

 and scarcely a trace of foxiuess. Ripens 

 very early — ten days or more before Con- 

 cord. It is apparently a most promising, 

 perfectly hardy and healthy, white grape ; 

 and I think it will hereafter hold a promi- 

 nent position among the most popular hardy 

 native grapes. 



With a passing notice of the favorite little 

 Delaware, I will leave the discussion of par- 

 ticular varieties : The discovery and intro- 

 duction of this grape marked an era in 

 American grape-culture ; and it has per- 

 haps done more to educate and elevate 

 the public taste, as to the quality and ex- 

 cellence attainable in our native grapes, 

 than any other circumstance. And to its 

 influence may be attributed, in a large de- 

 gree, the mania for grape-culture, which 

 pervaded the country a few years since. 

 And although it must be confessed that the 

 Delaware has disappointed many of its ad- 

 mirers, by reason of apparent caprice and 

 coquettishness, others who have studied its 

 wants and requirements, and learned that it 

 will endure neither estrangement nor neg- 

 lect, find it still all that can be desired — 

 always charming, fruitful and reliable. The 

 greatest fault of the Delaware, and indeed 

 almost its only one, is a delicacy or tender- 

 ness of foliage which renders it unable to 

 resist the attacks of oidiuvi, or mildew of 

 the foliage, in seasons and localities where 

 that malady prevails. 



The attention of hybridizers and grape- 



growers has been for years directed to the 

 production of varieties having the excellen- 

 cies of the Delaware combined with stronger 

 foliage, capable of resisting the attacks of 

 disease. That complete success in this di- 

 rection will be ultimately reached, if indeed 

 it has not already been attained, T have no 

 reasonable doubt. And an experience of 

 near twenty years, in experimenting upon 

 the capabilities and possibilities of improve- 

 ment of the American grape, by hybridiz- 

 ing, forms the ground of this confidence. 



The one point which I consider as im- 

 portant, above all others, in this pursuit, is 

 the fact, which I regard as fully established, 

 that a hybrid or cross between a hardy 

 native and a tender exotic grape may have 

 the hardiness of constitution and vigorous, 

 healthy foliage of the native, while the fruit 

 may possess the delicacy and excellence of 

 the foreign parent. I have seen grapes of 

 this character, both from Mr. Ricketts, of 

 Newburgh, and Mr. Underbill, of Croton 

 Point ; and I have myself grown hybridized 

 seedlings from Concord, and other hardy 

 native grapes, which retain all the vigor of 

 growth, and very nearly the hardiness and 

 health of foliage of the Concord, and pro- 

 duced grapes very difiicult to distinguish 

 from Golden Chasselas, Muscat Hamburgh, 

 and Chasselas Musque either in appearance 

 or flavor ; and all raised in open garden, 

 wholly unprotected, and with only ordinary 

 care. If these facts do not point to a glo- 

 rious future for American grape-growing, I 

 confess myself unable to comprehend their 

 significance. 



A few remarks upon hybridizing may be 

 of interest. Hundreds of vines are doubt- 

 less grown which are supposed to be hybrids, 

 but which are only simple seedlings. To be 

 certain of success in this pursuit, great care 

 and very delicate manipulation are neces- 

 sary. The bud must be opened prematurely 

 and all the anthers removed from the grape- 

 blossoms before the pollen-cells have burst. 

 The incipient cluster, thus prepared, should 

 be enveloped in an oil-silk covering to prevent 

 the embryo grape from being impregnated. 



