140 THE GRAPE. 



Physiological theory teaches, and practical experience 

 proves to us, that the progeny of a plant, the flowers of 

 which have heen fertilized by another, is more likely to 

 retain the constitution and habit of the maternal side, 

 while any peculiarities as to flower and fruits of the father 

 are introduced into the same body : consequently, the 

 native kind should be fertilized by the pollen of the exotic, 

 when a hardy vine would most probably be the product, 

 with an approach to the fruit of the foreign sort. So de- 

 cided is this fact, that the operator may predict tolerably 

 closely what the result will be ; and it is as sure as a 

 demonstrated fact, that we can produce, by care and per- 

 severance, by this course, a tribe of grapes suitable for 

 every purpose of the vigneron, and also satisfactory to the 

 palate of the most fastidious epicure. 



For producing a fine table grape, perhaps no better 

 varieties can be chosen than Isabella, or Concord, fertilized 

 with Black Hamburgh, for a black; and Diana, crossed 

 with Chasselas Fontainebleau, for a light-colored class. 

 For this purpose, it is not advisable to make use of the 

 Frontignans, or Muscats, for the natives have already too 

 much of the musky flavor, and by introducing the sweet- 

 ness of the Hamburgh and Chasselas, we shall be most 

 likely to produce a Muscat flavor, with the size or beauty 

 of berry, and form of bunch of the two paternal kinds. 

 Beside the production of a fine class of grapes for dessert, 

 this is likely to lead to a quality most suitable for the 

 sweeter and mild-tasted wines ; but for those of rougher 

 and fuller flavor, the probability is that the Frontignans 

 would answer the purpose better. This is, however, only 

 conjecture, and must be left to futurity for proof. To 

 insure success, some care and attention is necessary ; more 

 will be accomplished with these, from a dozen seedlings, 

 than by a thousand without it. The plants to be operated 



