SECRETARY'S REPORT. 99 



RAISING NEW VARIETIES FROM SEED. 



This is probably the best method of obtaining improved vari- 

 eties of hardy grapes ; and when we consider that some of our 

 very best apples and pears arc seedlings of our own State, we 

 may well take courage and enter upon the task of raising 

 seedling grapes. 



Many of the new grapes which have been ushered into pul)lic 

 notice are chance seedlings of various parts of our country. 

 Some of them, very good in their native locality, prove worth- 

 less, or if good, so ill adapted to our climate that they cannot 

 be grown in it with profit and success. Some are of good 

 quality, but too small for market ; or poor bearers, or slender 

 growers, or require such careful cultivation as makes them 

 unprofitable. A grape for general cultivation must have such 

 vigor of constitution as will bear neglect, and be comparatively 

 indifferent to soil and location ; not that these do qot affect the 

 qitality of the fruit to some extent, for any grape will be better, 

 other things being equal, which is grown on a good grape soil 

 and location, than it will be if grown upon its opposite ; but 

 the grape for the market should be, — like the Bartlett pear and 

 the Baldwin apple, — always salable, though it may be variable 

 in its qualities in various soils and seasons. 



It is obvious, therefore, that seedlings from our native Viiis 

 Labrusca will be more likely to succeed with us, than seedlings 

 from the foreign grape, or even from the grapes of other States. 

 Even locality may breed a peculiarity in a seedling grape which 

 will prevent its successful culture in any other locality, except 

 such as are essentially like that in which it was born. One 

 instance at least has fallen under our observation where this 

 seemed to be the case. A chance seedling came up in a garden, 

 under a high fence, upon its eastern side. This was not 

 considered a good aspect, and for the purpose of improving the 

 quality of the grape, it was removed to a south aspect, against 

 a high building, where it was believed the grape would be 

 entirely at home. Much to the surprise of the owner, the grape 

 was not so good as before ; after a fair trial it was removed to 

 its former location, and again bore grapes of the same quality 

 as those it bore before its first removal. 



An old writer on the grape speaks of vines which " scarcely 

 answer to their name after they have changed their place ;" 



