GRAPES. 211 



practice may have been successful at times, and 

 may not subject the vine grower to loss, but the 

 author lost large Concords in 1876 protected in 

 this way, which is a warning that it is not always 

 a safe practice. 



In varieties the Concord still holds the lead, com- 

 bining more good qualities than any other, though 

 the Worden is a very close competitor. The 

 former is too well known to need a description. 

 It is not of first quality, nor indeed second, 

 though in hardiness, freedom from disease and pro- 

 ductiveness no other grape can show so many good 

 points over so great an extent of territory. To be 

 at its best it should be thoroughly ripened, and 

 when kept carefully for three or four weeks after 

 gathering, it is at least a very good grape. 



The Worden very much resembles the Concord, 

 both in fruit and vine, but is from ten days to 

 sometimes two weeks earlier, ard of much better 

 quality. Its fault is in having a very thin skin 

 which lessens its value as a market variety, and as 

 a keeper. 



A great number of varieties are not necessary, 

 though there is generally a disposition on the part 

 of grape lovers to plant every new variety that is 

 presented with a good "pedigree." We will first 

 give a sufficiently large list alphabetically and then 

 name them in the order of their value as we have 

 found them. 



Agawam (Rogers No. 15). This together with 

 all the R. Hybrids were obtained from seed of the 



