FRUIT committee's REPORT. 69 



of the season, Mr. Brackett did not consider these specimens a fair criterion 

 of the quality of the variety. The Union 'Village was received by Mr. 

 Brackett from Mr. Longworth of Cincinnati, who, it is said, obtained it from 

 a Shaker Community at Union Village, Ohio, whence its name, and where 

 it has been presumed to have originated. With resptct to this there may 

 be some doubt; as the original vine cannot now be found there, perhaps it 

 was sent to Mr. Longworth. 



With the information upon this subject at present possessed, if called 

 upon to recommend grapes, that, taking all circumstances into the account, 

 may be considered as best adapted to out-door cultivation in Massachu- 

 setts, but little hesitation would be felt in naming the Diana and the Dela- 

 ware. The Diana is too well known to call for any remarks concerning 

 it, and with the Delaware, cultivators are somewhat acquainted as, although 

 of recent introduction here, various opportunities for testing its qualities 

 have been afforded. The Delaware has been received from Delaware, 

 Ohio, but is probably a native of one of the Middle States. It is, although 

 until recently but little known, not a new grape, for if statements of in 

 every way a reliable character can be depended on, the Delaware was, 

 more than thirty years ago, in the possession of Mr. Prevost of New .Jersey. 

 Mr. Campbell of Ohio writes that he this year " picked ripe specimens 

 from a fair southern exposure on the 15th of August." 



There have been some new Grapes exhibited the past season ; among 

 them a new seedling from J. F. Allen. As, through some accident or 

 misunderstanding, this grape was not tried by the Committee, the following 

 description of it from Mr. Allen is given: "A new Seedling grape, hybrid 

 from Isabella and European, eaily and fine, color black, grown under glass, 

 but not forced. I have vines of it in the open air, and it is as hardy as the 

 Isabella." On September 11th, Mr. James Hill exhibited a large purple 

 native grape, called Jenney's Seedling ; it was stated that it did not mil- 

 dew, and was sometime ripe by August 24, but its quality was not such as, 

 in the opinion of the Committee, to entitle it to commendation. 



It has been said above, that it was believed that the Union Village had 

 no superior unless with one exception. The exception intended was a 

 new seedling, raised from it by Mr. Brackett ; it fruited this year for the 

 first time, with berries larger than those of the Union Village, that were 

 pronounced by those who tasted them to be of superior flavor. It is be- 

 lieved to be a grape of great promise. Information has been received of a 

 new grape, of an amber color, a chance seedling, on Long Island, that the 

 owner, himself every way qualified to judge, believes will take its place as 

 the best of American grapes. As nothing more is known of it, this allusion 

 to it is all that is deemed justifiable. 



Although skilful cultivators, like Messrs. Grant and Cutter, and they too 

 probably favored with locations peculiarly adapted to the purpose, have 

 exhibited, the past season, hardy grapes in as good condition as usual, yet 

 the crop may be considered a failure. The mildew has been exceedingly 

 destructive, and the only variety, so far as was noticed, that escaped its 

 attacks was the Clinton. This disease first manifested itself on August 5, 



