REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FRUITS. , 95 



resembles the Clinton, but the pulp is tender, and it is on the 

 ■whole a decided improvement on the mother variety. 



Mr. N. B. Wlaite, of Dedham, showed a seedling from a La- 

 brusca grape, hybridized with Hamburg, and which he has named 

 the August Giant. Bunch of good size, berries large, round, black 

 with blue bloom, pulp sweet and somewhat rough, but free from 

 foxiness. It is said by Mr. White to be very hardy, and to pro- 

 duce wood and leaves of remarkable size. The Norfolk Muscat, 

 another seedling by Mr. White, from the same cross, had a good 

 sized bunch, with a medium berry, color resembling Catawba. It 

 is a handsome grape, with a decided muscat flavor, but deficient 

 in sweetness. Specimens shown a week later, though not abso- 

 lutely deficient in sweetnes, would have been better for more. 

 Mr. White also showed two crosses from Marion, fertilized with 

 Black Hamburg. One called the Black Heart, has a berry of 

 medium size, sweet and juicy. The other has a smaller berry of 

 more sprightly flavor, and gives promise of being an excellent 

 wine grape. 



The Janesville grape, which was exhibited for the first time, is 

 a Western fruit of some pretensions. • It has a compact cluster, is 

 a good grower, and as early as the Hartford Prolific, but is not 

 quite so good a grape. 



Among the newer grapes the Martha seems to gain in favor. 

 One of the Committee, who has fruited this variety for several 

 years, thinks better and better of it. This year it ripened freely, 

 and the vines, in a moderately rich soil, grew famously, making 

 canes from nine to twelve feet long. It seems hardy, healthy, 

 and as good as its parent the Concord. The experience of another 

 member has, however, been exactly the reverse of this. 



The exhibitions of foreign grapes, though comprising many fine 

 specimens, have not been so full as could be wished. The only 

 novelty in this department is Mrs. Pince's Muscat, exhibited by 

 Mr. C. M. Atkinson. It is a black grape, with bunches and ber- 

 ries of medium size. The flesh is crisp and good, though the mus- 

 cat flavor is very slight ; but its chief excellence is its remarkable 

 property of keeping. 



The Committee have again to express their regret that no more 

 new fruits have been offered for the prizes designed to encourage the 

 introduction and testing of new varieties. The only collection of 

 this kind offered, was the new pears before mentioned, from Ex- 



