^6<) 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



fruit well in a large pai-t of Ontario, 

 coming to maturity earlier than the 

 Concord. The size both of bunch and 

 berry should satisfy those who value 

 grapes in proportion to their size, which 

 is the case with many purchasers of 

 fruit. 



The colored illustration in this num- 

 ber, for which we are indebted to the 

 Niagara Grape Company, will give our 

 readers a much better idea of the hand- 

 some, showy appearance of a well-grown 

 bunch than any description. As to 

 flavor and quality it will exactly suit 

 those who relish considerable muski- 

 ness or native aroma. It is sweet and 

 rich. Like most of our native grapes 

 of the labrusca family, it is at its best 

 when it is first ri2:)e ; keeping does not 

 improve the flavor, but on the contrary 

 injures its sprightliness. 



It seems also that it is very produc- 

 tive. We have seen it stated that 580 

 vines of the Niagara grape planted in 

 the spring of 1879 yielded in 1882, by 

 actual weight, 7,692 pounds of grapes. 

 Thirteen pounds of grapes to the vine on 

 an average is a very satisfactory crop. 



We believe that this grape is well 

 worthy of trial, and that it will give 

 very general satisfaction. We shall 

 plant a few vines of it, and, if spared 

 to see its performances, shall inform 

 the readers of the Canadian Ilorticul- 

 tarist of its adaptation to this locality. 

 Meanwhile it is to be hoped very many 

 will test it for themselves and give our 

 readers their experience, so that the 

 question of its suitability for general 

 cultivation in Ontario may be fully 

 , settled. 



THE END OF THE YEAR. 

 How fast the months go by ! It 

 seems but yesterday that we tendered 

 to the I'eaders of the Canadian Horti- 

 culturist our New Year greetings. To- 

 day we hand you the last number for 

 the year. Our endeavor to give you 

 from month to month the latest tidings 

 of the horticultural world, coupled with 

 such suggestions as the experience of 

 cultivators could furnish, is before you. 

 The kind expressions of satisfaction 

 received from many, tell its that our 

 endeavor has not been wholly in vain. 

 We wish that these monthly issues had 

 been more full of iiseful matter, and 

 feel almost constrained to promise that 

 they shall be in the future. But it is 

 not the privilege of any one man to 

 possess all the knowledge there is even 

 on horticultural matters. If our read- 

 ers would only write more fully of 

 their experience for publication in their 

 journal, then we could promise, most 

 certainly, that your monthly shall be 

 much more interesting during the year 

 to come than it ever has been. Will 

 you not have the kindness to give to 

 others the benefit of your experience 'i 

 It may not seem to you to be worth 

 much, but it may be just what will 

 help some one who is growing discour- 

 aged in his work. To you these 

 experiences may seem as footprints in 

 the sand, and yet shall be 



" Footprints, that perhaps another, 



Sailing o'er life's solemn main, 



A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, 



Seeing, shall take heart again." 



One new feature for the coming year 



has been very kindly promised by Mr. 



