296 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



tented, as I was in my boyhood, with the Fox grapes of Connecti- 

 cut. One who never tasted any but the old style yellow musk- 

 melon, may not desire to grow the green-fleshed, delicious nutmeg 

 melon. 



Remember that, if your own sense of taste has not progressed 

 so far as not to relish such grapes as the public sought after 

 ten years ago, there are individuals of the great public, and very 

 soon their name will be legion, whose tastes are already pro- 

 gressed, so that they will not buy the product of your wild vines 

 if you plant them, and succeed in producing fruit. Then why 

 not plant the best at first, and not have to dig up and throw away 

 some years of labor upon sorts that prove so nearly worthless as 

 those that have been tried and rejected by some of the best 

 grape-growers in this country. I pause here to introduce another 

 witness, who answers the question of what shall we plant better 

 than I can, because she answers from actual experience. I had 

 written this far in answer, when I fortunately received the 

 following valuable and interesting letter, which I recognize as 

 coming from a very intelligent American lady, Mrs. Therese 

 Nairin, the wife of a French gentleman who knows what good 

 grapes and good vines are, and who now hopes to have as good 

 ones at their new home on the Hudson river : 



"Four years ago last fall you may remember to have met me 

 with Mr. Downing at Newburgh. I then and there thought you 

 a little enthusiastic, as a new convert might be on the subject of 

 Delaware and Diana grapes, but Mr. Downing concurring with 

 you I procured as follows : four Delawares, two Dianas, two Re- 

 beccas, two Annas, two Concords, two Hartford Frolifics, two 

 Lincolns, two Union Villages, two Elsingburgs, two Isabellas, and 

 two Catawbas, which Mr. Downing told me would make a good 

 beginning for a supply for "family use." I treated them according 

 to directions furnished, and give you the result. I should say the 

 Concord and Hartford Prolific were taken because Mr. Downing 

 said they would be excellent for market. I have found them just 

 that, only they will not sell after the first trial, so I dug up Hart- 

 ford Prolific a year ago, and Concord last fall. The Isabella and 

 Catawba performed about as usual, each of them giving speci- 

 mens the third season, and something of a crop the last. The 

 Isabella every season lost its leaves sooner than the others, and 

 the fruit, although black, was flavorless, or not good, in compari- 

 son with your favorites. Catawba was better in these respects, 



