^ MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



80 to undergo the severity of this climate with perfect impunity ; that is, 

 there is reason to think that all of them would be benefited by some pro- 

 tection, that which would not involve much trouble or expense. Mr. Allen's 

 Hybrid bore fruit M'ith him this year for the first time in the open air, and it 

 is now hoped that the adaptation of this variety to general cultivation may 

 soon be thoroughly tested and ascertained. Mr. Allen states that, in his 

 experience, it is as hardy as any of the approved sorts. Should it prove so 

 generally, as there seems to be no difference of opinion with respect to its 

 superior qualities as a fruit, it is but fair to presume that it must become a 

 very general favorite, and supersede some, in general estimation, whose 

 going out was heralded by loud praises. As no opportunity has been af- 

 forded the past year for any personal experience with respect to grapes, so 

 there is no opportunity for any observations in regard to this fruit in addi- 

 tion to those of the Report of the past year ; the opinion then expressed 

 of the superiority, at present, of the Delaware and Diana to any other va- 

 rieties, for general cultivation, being still entertained. The raising of 

 grapes for the few past years has been attended with one difficulty, that, if 

 it is to continue, and become permanent, and not to be controlled or obvi- 

 ated by remedial agents or measures, promises to become insuperable ; that 

 is, the mildew, supposed to be the same as the oidium of France. As it 

 seems to be disappearing in Europe, there is reason to hope here, too, for 

 its cessation. Perhaps, like some diseases that afflict the human frame, it 

 has an appointed course to run, and then to disappear, — returning again, it 

 may be, at intervals ; or, what is perhaps more probable, that caused by 

 the series of wet summers that have prevailed lately, with a return of dry 

 ones its ravages, if they do not wholly cease, may become comparatively 

 of small account. 



At the annual exhibition, specimens of the Bowood Muscat, a new hot- 

 house grape, were shown. In form of the berries, their size and color, it 

 bears a very strong resemblance to the Cannon Mall Muscat ; but, it is 

 stated, possesses a decided advantage over that variety in this, that it sete 

 its fruit freely. The Barbarossa and Allen's Hybrid were also again ex- 

 hibited. The Committee were of opinion that the show of hothouse grapes 

 had rarely, if ever, been surpassed at any previous exhibition of the 

 Society. 



Some new hardy Seedling grapes were also exhibited ; among others 

 the Perkins, a seedling from Bridgewater. The berries were of good size, 

 of a light amber color, that seemed to be juicy, of a sprightly flavor, with- 

 out much pulp. And the Dmcut Amber, also a new seedling, with berries 

 of a good size, or large, in color of a dark amber; that, too, was juicy, and 

 without much hard pulp. The season for grapes has been too unfavorable 

 to justify the formation of any decided opinion with respect to the merits of 

 any of these grapes ; besides that, no sufficient opportunity of testing them 

 for that purpose has been afforded. 



Specimens of the Massachusetts White were also upon the table. They 

 did not appear to be ripe ; and what is said with respect to the varieties 

 named above, regarding the season, and the want of opportunity of testing 



