HOW THE BRIGHTON GRAPE WAS SECURED 



FRANCIS WAYLAND GLEN, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 



''r>HE article in the June issue of The 



1 Horticulturist by Mr. W. T. Ma- 

 coun. entitled " The Individuality of Fruits."' 

 opens a most important and interesting line 

 of experimenting and careful observation. 



An interesting experiment regarding the 

 individuality of the grape was once brought 

 to my notice. It was conducted at Oshawa. 

 Ont., by Mr. Isaac Moore, the originator 

 of the Brighton grape, who selected the 

 nnest cluster of grapes on a vine of the Rose 

 Chassellas. before the blossoms began to 

 open. 



The grapes were covered with, a very fine 

 thin muslin so that no bees or insects with 

 pollen on their legs could get to the blos- 

 some when they opened, and to also protect 

 them from any pollen which might be float- 

 ing in the air. The best cluster on a strong 

 plant of Concords was also treated in the 

 same manner out of doors. When the pol- 

 len was ripe the cluster from the Concord 

 was cut off and carried to the vinery. The 

 muslin from both clusters was opened and 

 the pollen from the Concord shook over the 

 Rose Chassellas and at once covered again 

 with the muslin. This remained covered 

 until the berries were formed. 



The experimenter was then sure that he 

 had a cross of the Concord and Rose Chas- 

 sellas and no other mixture. From the seed 

 of that cluster he obtained the Brighton. 

 The mother or female was the Rose Chas- 

 sellas ; the Concord contributed only the 

 pollen. The Rose Chassellas produced the 

 seed in the fruit. From the father (the 



Concord) the Brighton inherited its strong, 

 hardy, vigorous leaves and branches, free 

 irom mildew when grown out of doors. 

 From the mother, or female, its rose color 

 and delicious flavor were taken. The his- 

 tory of the origin of the Brighton grape 

 shows what can be done by crossing differ- 

 ent varieties of fruits and how to do it in a 

 way that will aid others "who have the time, 

 patience and inclination to cooperate with 

 Nature in the improvement of fruits and 

 flowers. 



The average fruit grower does not appre- 

 ciate the full meaning of the fact that plants, 

 like animals, are male and female, and also 

 that plants have many of the traits and 

 characteristics of animals. Plants are lazy 

 like some men. They will send out roots a 

 long way for food if they must. Three 

 years ago a tall plant in my garden was 

 blown over by the wind. The roots were 

 all on one side. I examined the earth about 

 it and found that three feet from it on one 

 side was a quantity of manure from the 

 stable and all of its roots were going for 

 that manure. Those on the opposite side 

 had curved round and were making for that 

 pool, because it was near at hand. 



Have plants the sense of smell? I will 

 give some facts that have come under mv 

 personal observation that bear on this prob- 

 lem in a future issue. I cannot close with- 

 out commending the paper of Mr. Macoun. 

 He has opened up a field for a verv interest- 

 ing discussion which cannot fail to lead to 

 beneficial results. 



Between the great amount of rain and the 

 consequent wetness of the soil, and the 

 scarcity and exceedingly high price of labor, 

 fruit growers this season will necessarily 

 have to give less cultivation to fruit planta- 

 tions and vineyards. — ^(A. W. Peart, Bur- 

 lington, Ont. 



The grounds around school houses sli -bid 

 be made to speak out in a language intelli- 

 gible to all. We should associate a? many 

 attractive things around them as can be 

 brought together. Flowers and j. hnts are 

 most pleasing additions to the house as well 

 as to the grounds. — (P. G. Keyes, Otcawa. 



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