THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 169 



In the commimication to the above publication, I find Dr. 

 Underhill has more fully expressed his opinion as to the im- 

 provement in the quality of the Isabella and Catawba, which 

 were growing in the wild state about forty years since, (time 

 of writing 1842.) He says, " the quality of my fruit has 

 changed very much within a few years ; the clusters and 

 berries are much larger and sweeter, the skin thinner, and 

 the |)m7^j) has nearly disappeared. But I do not wish to be 

 understood as conveying the idea that others, having a suita- 

 ble situation, and good vines, with properly directed efforts in 

 planting, pruning, &c., cannot succeed in raising as fine fruit 

 \ as grows upon Croton Point." 



^^ The native grapes of Massachusetts do not improve by cul- 

 tivation upon removal to the garden ; the bunch and berry 

 can be enlarged, but the strong foxy flavor still remains^ 

 which renders them unsuited for the dessert. 



The improvement in the quality of the Isabella and Ca- 

 tawba, spoken of by Dr. Underhill, under liis cultivation, is, 

 no doubt, owing to suitable soil and judicious cropping^ 

 In its wild state, this fruit would be taxed to its utmost, in its 

 efforts to mature the abundant crop which it naturally pro- 

 duces, consequently, the fruit would be small, and the flavor 

 deficient. 



Under cultivation, one quarter of the fruit which the vine 

 would set, is as much as it would be allowed to mature. This 

 would enlarge the bunch and the berry, and hasten the period 

 of maturation, and improve the flavor. I believe it is gener- 

 ally admitted to be the case, with all fruit trees, that a small 

 or limited crop, is the highest flavored. 



The summer of 1847 was an unpropitious one for grapes, 

 in the open air, in Massachusetts, the fruit ripening on but 

 very few vines. On vines exposed to the due south, where 

 the soil was dry, or well drained, the fruit ripened when the 

 vines were judiciously pruned, and curtailed of their over- 

 abundance of fruit ; in wet situations, it failed entirely. 



The effect of a warm, dry soil, is to cause the sap to rise, 

 22 



