FRUITS. 133 



Tliis fact was stated by ^[r. Longworth, about twenty years 

 ago ; and about tbe same time he made the statement, as the 

 result of his large experience, that our native grape could be 

 improved and finally brought to perfection by continued cultiva- 

 tion and reproduction from seed. About the same time, or some- 

 what later, other cultivators attempted hybridizing our native 

 grapes with the vinifera, in order to obtain a good fruit, adapted 

 to our country, more rapidly than by the slow but certain process 

 of Mr. Longworth. The result, so far as the fruit is concerned, 

 is all that the advocates of the process expected, and we have 

 hybrid grapes of finer quality than we could ex|)ect to make 

 our native grape in a century of careful culture. There seems, 

 however, to be a natural law by which a hybrid, Avhicli partakes 

 in some degree of the characteristics of both parents, must also 

 partake of the disabilities of both, and be subject to the diseases 

 of both ; and it is this that prevents in nature the long continu- 

 ance of hybrid races. A hybrid cannot become a new species, 

 but is merely a combination of old ones. 



The statements of the exhibitors show that the hybrid grapes 

 are uncertain. Some give the preference to one variety and 

 some to another. It is also stated that varieties which did well 

 last year, did poorly this, and vice versa. 



All the grape growers with whom we have corresponded, have 

 evinced their appreciation of an attempt to systematize their 

 knowledge, and their disposition to impart it freely. 



We advise a person about to plant grapes, and having a 

 choice of situation, to select the south side of a gravel hill ; 

 having no hard-pan, but open to the level of the springs, and 

 sheltered from east winds, and from all others, if possible. 

 The soil on such hills is generally pretty uniform, and of no 

 great consequence. Apply bone dust and ashes, but no excre- 

 mentitious manures. Muck can be used. The training to trel- 

 lis or stake is purely a question of convenience or fancy. No 

 pruning is dangerous before January, but excessive pruning mar/ 

 be so in summer, according to the season. We further advise 

 the planter to read up everything in late reports favorable to 

 rolnns. Otherwise he may feel disposed to anathematize the 

 bird when his grapes ripen ; particularly if the plants be the 

 Delaware and Rogers. 



Varieties. — Concord. — For describing this we give the Ian- 



