526 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



ripe almost to the extreme points of growth, which is another 

 great advantage it has over many other varieties, including 

 the two just named ; the young wood of Avhich is frequently 

 almost entirely destroyed by the severe frosts that occur 

 before it ripens perfectly. 



I have heretofore had some doubts as to its hardiness, but 

 recent observation and experience seems satisfactorily to settle 

 that point. Several young vines, (slips planted the preceding 

 spring,) situated in a cold, damp, exposed spot, left out en- 

 tirely unprotected during the last winter, this spring were as 

 fresh and bright as at the period of ceasing growth last fall, 

 and have flourished finely the present season. A friend who 

 has a number of them growing, uniformly leaves them un- 

 protected, has not lost or had one injured by so doing, and 

 considers it if anything hardier than the Isabella or Catawba. 

 My own plants being young and easily managed, have been 

 taken down in the fall and covered with a board, a course 

 which I consider advisable in all cases where it can be done 

 conveniently, but I doubt not that trouble could be safely 

 dispensed with. 



Another vine in my garden, located against the south side 

 of a frame barn, is not so forward as the one from which the 

 specimens sent were taken, but the fruit on it also is coloring 

 finely, and will be fully ripe, I should judge, by first Sep- 

 tember. 



Of the productiveness of this variety no one will doubt 

 who has seen it in bearing under favorable circumstances and 

 in good soil ; and from the slight opportunities I have had of 

 observation, I think it admirably calculated for the system of 

 culture adopted by those who raise the grape on an extensive 

 scale for wine making ; and if on trial it proves suitable for 

 that purpose, it must become one of the most popular varie- 

 ties in cultivation. As a table fruit it is admitted by compe- 

 tent judges, where known, to stand unrivalled among hardy 

 grapes. 



Notwithstanding its apparent resemblance to the German 

 variety known as the Traminer, and the fact that in a late 

 work on fruits it is unceremoniously and without qualification 



