128 AMERICAN GRAPE GROWING 



Mildew of the foliage and rotting of the fruit, are, I 

 think, less prevalent here than in many other places 

 which are more favorable for grape growing in other 

 respects. I mention these things, as tending to form or 

 modify my opinions upon the character and value of 

 varieties, believing you would better appreciate my views 

 by having a pretty full understanding of the conditions 

 under which they are formed. 



Grapes may be properly divided into two distinct 

 classes : First, those that are, by their hardy and healthy 

 character, adapted to general cultivation ; and second, 

 those that are only suited to special or particular locali- 

 ties. These might again be sub-divided into grapes for 

 special uses, as for the table, and for wine making ; but 

 I can not, in the limits of this brief communication at- 

 tempt anything like a classification of varieties, as I pre- 

 sume you have already done this in a manner far beyond 

 my capabilities. 



As in most parts of the country, the Concord grape has 

 been more extensively planted here than any other, and 

 upon the whole, it may be said, its success has been 

 greater than that of any other variety. For many years 

 after its introduction it was exempt from both mildew 

 and rot, yielding regular and good crops. It is still free 

 from mildew of the foliage, but in unfavorable seasons, 

 when there is an excess of rain with much warm, sultry, 

 foggy weather about the time the fruit approaches ma- 

 turity, in common with most other varieties, it has 

 suifered seriously from rotting. The season just past 

 has been a favorable one, and except where the vines 

 were injured by the extreme severity of the previous win- 

 ter, they have borne healthy and well matured crops. 



From the Concord have been grown many seedlings, 

 some of which have attained considerable popularity, and 

 will, doubtless, prove permanently valuable for the sec- 

 tions where this class of grapes are most successful. 



