The Canadian HoRtiCtTLTURlsT 



197 



GRAPES, OLD AND NEW. 



HE following is a portion of the address given by Mr. G. W. 

 Campbell, of Ohio, at the recent meeting of Fruit Growers 

 at Rochester. He said : — Fifty years ago the Catawba and 

 the Isabella were the only grapes. The grape-growing centres 

 were not known, and hardly a single vine was growing where 

 now thousands of acres are to be seen. The Delaware grape 

 was discovered and tested at Delaware, Ohio, about the year 

 1850. The discovery of this grape was a revelation to lovers 

 of fine fruit, and its introduction stimulated grape-growing to 

 a considerable extent. The Concord was first exhibited in 1853 ; it was slow 

 in coming to the front, but it has held the highest position for more than thirty 

 years. A large number of seedlings have been produced from the Concord, of 

 which the Worden is probably the best. Moore's Early stands second to Wor- 

 den. It is growing in favor, and increased plantings of this variety are made 

 every year. Eaton is another Concord seedling attracting attention : it is one 

 of the largest of the black grapes, and is extensively grown for the market around 

 •Boston. Lady and Pocklington are white seedlings uf the Concord. The Pock- 

 lington was first shown in Rochester in 1877. Two 'white seedlings of the 

 Concord grown in Ohio are very good, and seem likely to come into general 

 notice. One is the Witt, originating at Columbus in 1880, and first shown at 

 the meeting of the Ohio Horticultural Society at Columbus in September, 1885 ; 

 the other, Colerain, is slightly earlier than the Witt, and originated in Colerain, 

 Ohio. Woodruff is the only red Concord seedling of any value. It originated 

 about twelve years ago in Michigan. It is becoming more popular year by 

 year, and although not as good as the Delaware, its large size and showy appear- 

 ance make it a dangerous rival of that variety as it is in the market at the same 

 time. Brighton is another popular red variety ; it has large showy clusters, and 

 presents a fine appearance. It is not entirely hardy, and in wet seasons is liable 

 to have straggling bunches from imperfect pollination. Moore's Diamond is a 

 white grape of recent introduction, of good quality and fine appearance ; it is, 

 however, not productive at Delaware, Ohio. It is not very hardy, and rots in 

 some seasons. In some places, however, it is a popular market grape. Empire 

 State, another white grape, is not fulfilling the hopes of its introducer. It is 

 unproductive, and the vine is not very healthy. The Ulster Prolific, a red 

 grape, thought to be a cross between Delaware and Walter, originated in Ulster 

 County, New York ; $4,000 was paid Mr. Caywood for the original stock of 

 this grape. The Ulster was first shown in 1883 ; it is of medium season, is a 

 good producer and of fine flavor. The Nectar, a black grape, another seedling 

 by Caywood, promises well. Vergennes was first exhibited in 1880. It origin- 

 ated in Vergennes, Vermont : is one of the best of all grapes for long-keeping, 

 but it is not of high quality : it is a red grape of large size and handsome appear- 



