AND WIXE MAKING. 129 



Among the most prominent of these are Martha, Eva, 

 Lady, Worden's Seedling, and Moore's Early, the first 

 named three being white, and the latter two black vari- 

 eties. The Martha is, perhaps, too well known to need 

 special description. Eva is a twin-sister of Martha, and 

 the two are much alike. Several intelligent growers, 

 however, are positive that they are quite distinct, with 

 preferences for Eva, especially as to quality. 



The Lady gi-ape is quite distinct from the above, or 

 any other Concord seedling that I have seen. It is speci- 

 ally remarkable for healthy growth, hardiness, very early 

 ripening, and quality superior to any of its class, or to 

 any other grape ripening at the same time. I believe it 

 is generally conceded to be the best very early grape yet 

 introduced. It ripens here from the 10th to the 20th of 

 August, or two to three weeks earlier than Concord. In 

 color, it is what is usually called white, but is a light, 

 yellowish-green, and amber-tinted when exposed to the 

 sun. In size the berry is fully as large as Concord, clus- 

 ters somewhat smaller. In flavor more delicate than 

 Concord, as well as more vinous and sprightly. Its 

 growth is compact and healthy, often a little slow for the 

 first year or two, but constantly increasing in vigor, and 

 my older vines, growing in a stiff clay, are all that I 

 could wish, and make as strong and healthy vines, and as 

 much wood as any Concords I have. It has been notice- 

 able here that all the white seedlings from Concord have 

 been much less disposed to rot than their parent. Neither 

 Martha, Eva, nor Lady, has ever been seriously affected 

 by this malady, and they have usually escaped entirely 

 when Concord has suff'ered badly. I regard the Lady 

 grape as chiefly valuable as an early grape for home use 

 and for near market. The skin is quite thin, and would 

 not bear rough handling, or shipping to distant markets, 

 without great care. It has not been to my knowledge 

 tested for wine making, but I believe it will be found su- 



