NOVEMBER. 525 



you can fix its identity with any known variety. Elliott, in 

 his book on fruits, calls it the Traminer, getting his infor- 

 mation in regard to it from Dr. Warder, of Cincinnati ; but I 

 saw the Doctor at our State Fair, last week, and he says they 

 have the two varieties growing side by side, and there is iw 

 resemblance between them. The Traminer is not hardy, 

 mildews, and casts its foliage like all other foreign vines in 

 this region. The Delaware is here perfectly hardy and free 

 from everything like mildew or blight. Mr. Prince, of Flush- 

 ing, was also at our Fair and saw it, admired it much, and 

 says he does not think it a foreign variety. The wood and 

 leaves enclosed aie from the vine. Should like very much 

 to have your opinion in reference to it. — Yours, truly, A. 

 Thomson, Delaware, Ohio, Oct., 1855. 



We have carefully examined these specimens, and do not 

 hesitate to pronounce them entirely distinct from the Tram- 

 iner. In the size of the berry, and in their color, it does ap- 

 proach the Traminer ; but the resemblance ceases here. In 

 its other characteristics, and particularly in its flavor, it is 

 quite distinct, and could not be confounded with it. If the 

 Delaware should prove a hardy vine in our New England 

 climate, and early enough to ripen with certainty, it will be 

 a fine addition to any collection. For the information of 

 those Avho are interested in new grapes, we copy the following 

 from Mr. Thomson's communication in the Ohio Cultivator, 

 respecting its earliness, hardiness, and its history : — 



" The^ specimens sent you are from a vine three years 

 planted, situated on the east side of a brick building, a few 

 clusters on which were well colored on the 10th of August, 

 and ripe specimens picked on the 15th, which proves it to be 

 by far the earliest out-door variety with which i am acquaint- 

 ed, and this I regard as one of its chief recommendations ; it 

 always maturing with us long before the appearance of frost 

 of sufficient severity to injure fruit or vegetation, which is 

 not the case in this region either with the Isabella or Cataw- 

 ba, except in peculiarly favorable locations or against walls. 

 The wood, also, of the vine referred to, is now thoroughly 



