12 THE GRAPE CULTURIST. 



Propagation by Seed. As the propagation of 

 the grape from seeds is the only method by which new 

 varieties can be produced, it is all-important to the wel- 

 fare and prosperity of grape culture in this country that 

 it should receive the attention of all friends of progress 

 in this department of horticulture. Although great 

 advance has been made in the last few years, and we 

 now have a few fine table and wine grapes, yet we have 

 none that are perfect, or but what may be far surpassed, 

 even if only ordinary skill is applied to the growing of 

 seedlings. 



The seeds should always be gathered from grapes 

 that are fully ripe, and from the best varieties that can 

 be obtained. Those varieties which have any prominent 

 defect, such as slow growth, thin, small leaves, those 

 that are liable to mildew, vines that are tender, or ripen 

 their fruit very late, should be avoided, unless they pos- 

 sess some excellent quality which it would be desirable 

 to perpetuate, and which can not be found in any other 

 variety. It must not be expected that good, strong, 

 healthy seedlings will be grown every year, even from 

 the very healthiest native variety, as the seeds of the 

 grape are not fully developed every season, although the 

 grape itself may appear to be perfect. I mention this, 

 that those who fail to grow good healthy seedlings on 

 the first trial, may not be discouraged. The next sea- 

 son, with no greater care, they may have perfect success. 

 It must not be expected that all the seedlings, nor any 

 great portion of them, will produce better fruit than the 

 parent, for although the vine has a tendency to improve 

 upon its wild nature a return, as it were, for the care 

 and labor bestowed upon it yet after it has taken a few 

 steps toward civilization, a large portion of its offspring 

 shows a disposition to recede to its original state. In 

 growing a thousand seedlings from a choice improved 

 variety, if we succeed in getting one even but little bei> 

 fcer than the parent, we would be well repaid. 



