60 AMERICAN GRAPES, 



least such as are sent to market. In Paris I had a similar experience, and 

 I naturally came to the conclusion that if this quality of fruit could be sold 

 at a high price, then American Grapes, if they can be grown, ought to find 

 a ready sale, especially since they could be offered so much cheaper. In 

 view of the difficulty and expense of producing grapes under glass, I hope 

 some one will give American grapes a trial, bringing to bear upon the sub- 

 ject all the knowledge and skill for which the English are so justly cele- 

 brated. It is my intention to name only a few of our best sorts, and I will 

 commence with 



Black Grapes. 



Eumelan, supposed to be a seedling of the Isabella, but without any of 

 the foxiness of that variety. The bunch and berry, though not large, are of 

 good size, and the flesh is tender, juicy, sprightly, refreshing and very agree- 

 able. No grape that I know has such a pleasant vinous flavor, and it is 

 surprising what a quantity of the fruit can be eaten without causing any 

 uneasiness. The only defect which this variety exhibits is the habit of the 

 vine, which I regret to say is not the best, Had it the vigorous constitu- 

 tion of the Concord or Hartford, it would undoubtedly be cultivated almost 

 to the exclusion of all other varieties. It is such a poor grower that it re- 

 quires to be grafted upon a vigorous variety, then it succeeds admirably. 



Barry, or Rogers' Hybrid No. 43, claimed to be a hybrid between an 

 American and a European variety, is a black grape, large in bunch and 

 berry, and bearing a closer resemblance to Black Hamburgh than any other 

 American sort. The flesh is tender, sweet, and the flavor pleasant. Of the 

 many varieties of Rogers this is justly entitled to the first place. No other 

 combines so many valuable qualities, and whether for amateurs' use or for 

 vineyard culture, it has few equals. In our vineyard a long line of trellis 

 supporting some large vines heavily laden with immense bundles of this 

 variety, some of them weighing 27 oz., is a picture which would excite the 

 admiration of a veteran grape grower, and certainly astonish the novice in 

 open-air grape culture. 



Herbert, another black variety of Rogers, is not so large in bunch and 

 berry as the last-mentioned, but the fruit is superior in quality. 



Red Grapes. 



Lindley, or Rogers' No, 9, is, all things considered, one of the best red 

 grapes we have. The bunch is large and long; berry of medium size; flesh 

 sweet, juicy and high flavored. The Delaware has long been regarded as 

 the best table grape, but I think that the Lindley, when it becomes known, 

 is destined to supersede it. The fruit is certainly equal in flavor, much 

 larger, more showy, and the vine is a stronger grower. 



Delaware, in the estimation of the American public, occupies the same 

 rank among grapes that the Seckel does among pears. The bunch is of 

 medium size, shouldered, very compact, ; the berry is small, light-red, with 

 a thin skin ; flesh melting, sweet, vinous, excellent. The vine is a slender 

 grower, and requires high culture ; nevertheless it is hardy, and very pro- 

 ductive. 



Brighton is an early grape, raised by artificial crossing of the Concord 

 and Diana Hamburgh. The bunch and berry are of good size ; flesh ten- 

 der, sweet, vinous and high flavored. The vine is a vigorous grower, and 

 very productive. 



