Notes and Gleanings. 107 



root is young and small, but liable to be tough and fibrous wlien full grown ; 

 leaves small, erect, red, and not very numerous ; leaf-stems blood-red. 



This beet, like the Common Long-Blood, is a popular winter sort, retaining 

 its color well when boiled. It is of larger size than the last named, grows more 

 above the surface of the ground, and has fewer fibrous and accidental small 

 side-roots. While young, it compares favorably with the old variety ; but, when 

 full grown, can hardly be said to be much superior. To have the variety in its 

 greatest perfection for winter-use, the seed should not be sown before the loth 

 of June ; as the roots of this, as well as those of nearly all the table varieties, are 

 much more tender and succulent when very rapidly grown and of about two- 

 thirds their full size. . 



Sow in drills fitteen inches apart, and thin to eight inches apart in the drills; 

 or sow in ridges eighteen inches apart. 



Seedling Hybrid Grapes. — I feel as though it was rather premature for 

 me to say any thing about my seedlings, as I have not yet had sufficient experi- 

 ence to determine their character satisfactorily even to myself The two of 

 which I exhibited you samples, I regard as the best I have yet produced as 

 table-grapes. As to hardiness, they stood wholly exposed for several years until 

 last winter, when I covered them, being anxious to have them fruit, and wishing 

 to guard against possibility of injury to fruit-buds. So far as I have observed, 

 I think them as hardy to resist the effects of cold as Catawbas, and with foliage 

 as hardy and healthy as Delaware. As to productiveness, I can say nothing. 

 They are both from Delaware seed, cross-bred or hybridized with Grizzly Fron- 

 tignan. Another hybrid, from Delaware seed, hybridized with Black Hamburg, 

 bore this season for the first time, and is a black grape, with much of the Ham- 

 burg flavor ; the general character of the vine much like the others. A cross- 

 bred between Delaware and Logan, from Logan seed, seemed also to have some 

 good qualities, ripening very early ; I think, a week or more before the Hartford. 

 Flavor much like Delaware, but more vinous or sprightly, and in consistence 

 very juicy and free from pulp, and devoid of foxiness. Bunch and berry, this, 

 its first year of bearing, both small ; color black. Another cross, between Logan 

 and Catawba, somewhat resembled the above ; but the bunches and berries were 

 much larger, and period of ripening later, — about with the Concord. The above 

 are the only ones among the many seedlings and hybrids I have raised that I 

 consider even promising, unless it may be the seedling Delaware I exhibited 

 you, which may have some value for wine, as it is perfectly hard}', has foliage 

 nearly as heavy as Concord, and is very productive. It is, however, inferior to 

 the Delaware as a table-grape, and seems to have the bad habit of falling easily 

 from the bunch if over-ripe. I expect to have, every year, new seedlings com- 

 ing into bearing ; and each year will also further develop those which have borne : 

 and, if any of them prove really valuable acquisitions, they will be exhibited, and 

 introduced if pronounced worthy by competent committees ; but not otherwise. — 

 George VV. Campbell to Am. Pom. Sac. 



