southern New Hampshire. In variety trials, Erie was found to be the earliest, 

 good-quality, blue grape, but it is male sterile; hence, when grown, Erie 

 must be planted with some other perfect-flowered variety. In 1950, of the 

 many varieties in the vineyard at Durham, New Hampshire, only Erie, Van 

 Buren, Kendaia. and Fredonia blossomed and produced a crop. Since Erie 

 has no pollen, any fruits set must have been the result of the crossing with 

 the other three varieties. Taking advantage of this circumstance, seeds of 

 Erie were saved in hope that it might be possible to get a variety as early as 

 Erie but with perfect flowers. Twelve hundred seedlings were started in the 

 spring of 1951 and were set at Green- 

 land, New Hampshire, where some 

 began bearing in 1953. All plants 

 with imperfect flowers were removed. 

 This eliminated approximately half 

 of them. Of the remainder, some 

 vines were removed in 1954 because 

 they produced no pollen. The remain- 

 ing vines were allowed to ripen fruits. 

 Seven of the best selections having 

 perfect flowers were propagated by 

 hardwood cuttings, and plants of each 

 selection were set in the vineyard at 

 Durham along with some standard 

 varieties. In 1956 the grapes were 

 judged for use as fresh fruit and also 

 some grape juice was made from the 

 fruits of each selection. In 1957 No. 

 26 and No. 37 were the best select- 

 ions. More time will be required to 

 determine whether either will be nam- 

 ed. The outstanding value of these 

 selections lies in their early maturity. 



New Hampshire No. 26 grape, a seed- 

 ling of Erie. It is perfect-flowered and 

 ripens before such varieties as Fredo- 

 nia and Van Buren. 



Pear Breeding 



A high-quality productive pear that might follow Clapp's Favorite in ripen- 

 ing season is particularly desired. Crosses were made between Clapp's 

 Favorite and Conference. Pollen was obtained from two trees labeled Con- 

 ference, but later one was proved to be Buerre Baltet when specimen fruits 

 had been mailed to the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, 

 New York, for identification. Several attractive selections have been made 

 from this cross. One designated NH ^2 has large, lightly-russeted, spindle- 

 shaped, high-quality fruits ripening soon after Clapp's Favorite. However, 

 it is difficult to tell just when to harvest fruits of NH ^2 to avoid break- 

 down of the flesh near the core. The tree of NH #2 pear is a natural semi- 

 dwarf with wide angle crotches to the branches and might make an excellent 

 filler tree for orchards. The original tree has borne regularly each year 

 including 1956 when some fruits suffered damage from late spring frosts. 

 Trees of NH ^2 have been propagated and distributed for testing. 



Another seedling has been given the number, NH ^4. Though the tree 

 is exceptionally tall and upright, it has produced smooth, attractive, large. 



