184 AMEKICAN GKAPE CULTUKE. 



in many respects, may be regarded as a Dela 

 ware greatly enlarged. There are some defects 

 in the Delaware, however, which disappear in 

 the lona. Some of these may here be noted. 

 For example, the small fibrous center of the 

 Delaware is replaced by thorough ripeness in 

 the lona; all the flesh becomes equally ripe 

 and tender, so that a berry, pressed between 

 the tongue and roof of the mouth, melts en 

 tirely away, leaving nothing but the seeds and 

 skin. There can be no perfection in the grape 

 till this point is reached. Both are exceedingly 

 delicate and refined ; but the lona has super- 

 added a pure and delicate muscat aroma, gen 

 erally wanting in the Delaware. The skin of 

 both is thin ; but that of the lona is so finely 

 woven together, that none of the goodness 

 within can escape : the berries never burst, 

 even when fully ripe, though the bunches be 

 piled thickly upon each other. A thin but 

 firm skin is necessary to all wine and raisin 

 grapes. The flesh of the Delaware, except the 

 small fibrous center, ripens into pure, sweet 

 juice, and thus it remains as long as the berry 

 retains its integrity ; but when a change takes 

 place, as in time it must, the animating spirit 

 soon passes away ; the small center finally 



