70 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and after that its ravages were rapid and fatal. While, during the last 

 two years, the mildew has been in this country very destructive, in France 

 the vines have, in a great degree, been free from the Oidium supposed to 

 be identical with it. Whether this exemption in the latter country has 

 been owing to the very genera] and free application of sulphur there prac- 

 tised, or to other causes, is not known ; but as this has been considered a 

 remedy for the evil, perhaps the experiment is worth repeating in this 

 country. 



At the Annual and subsequent Exhibitions, Isabella grapes, far beyond 

 the usual size, were exhibited, this increase in size having been produced 

 by girdling the vines. The Committee had an opportunity of testing the 

 effects of girdling by a comparison between grapes from a vine so treated 

 and from one that had hot been, and, in their opinion, this practice is inju- 

 rious to the quality of the fruit. Mr. G. B. Cutter, who has practised it, 

 gives it as his opinion, " that it increases the size of the grapes but does 

 not hasten its maturity, and injures the quality." As the berries are in- 

 creased in size by this process, it may be that it requires a longer period to 

 bring them to equal maturity with those that have not been so treated, and 

 when the season permits, if those that are on girdled vines are permitted to 

 remain ungathered several days longer, they may become equal in quality 

 to those that are borne by vines in their natural condition. 



Since the preceding remarks in relation to the grape were written, the 

 following letter has been received, and as it gives the opinions of a most 

 intelligent and skilful cultivator, bearing upon this subject, permission has 

 been obtained to hereunto append it. Upon perusal it will be found to 

 correspond with the views herein before expressed. In making their award 

 of premiums the Committee felt that a preference was to be given, when 

 the quality of the specimens exhibited would justify it, to well-known and 

 established varieties, rather than to those of more recent origin, because 

 the latter not being thoroughly tested, though promising" to be superior, it 

 was thought that to act with caution would be the part of wisdom : — 



To J. S. Cabot, Chairman of Fruit Committee 



of Massachusetts Horticultural Society — 



Dear Sir — In reply to your inquiry I hardly need say to you, that my 

 crop of grapes has been almost an entire failure this season ; the Delaware 

 and Union Village have alone yielded me a fair return for my labor. The 

 great amount of rain that fell during the months of August and September 

 may serve to remind the cultivator of the importance of a dry, calcareous 

 or sandy soil for the vine. In such a location drought may be overcome by 

 mulching, while in a fat, heavy loam excessive moisture will always prove 

 disastrous to both fruit and vine. 



Of the many varieties that I cultivate none gives me so much satisfaction 

 as the Delaware. It ripens from the 1st to the 10th of September, is per- 

 fectly hardy, and yields an abundance of most delicious fruit. Considering 

 all its qualities I have no hesitation in placing it at the head of American 

 grapes. 



