28 The Knox Fruit-Farm. 



them still to be found hanging upon the vines, though stale and shrivelled 

 at this late period of the season. They are grown rather as curiosities to 

 mark the advance of grape-culture than as a source of profit ; but the/ all 

 came into play to supply the demand for the earliest market, and are not 

 without their value for this purpose. The Hartford, indeed, is the source 

 of considerable revenue. Large and handsome bunches of this variety 

 were retaining their shrivelled berries with considerable tenacity. 



The Diana, which is quite a favorite in many parts of the West, Is here 

 highly valued for its keeping properties. The thick skin preserves the 

 pulp from injury ; and the fruit is easily kept until the holidays, when fresh 

 grapes command a high price. From some cause not manifest, the grapes 

 of this variety were not well colored at this vineyard ; though the foliage is 

 apparently healthy, and the growth of vine perfect. 



The Taylor is bearing well on young and old vines ; tlie bunches rather 

 small, but crowded and ripening well. The excessive growth of this variety 

 seems to interfere with its fruiting and with the size of its bunches. The 

 wine made from this nice juicy grape is so promising, the vine is so vigor- 

 ous and healthy, and the fruit is so pleasant, that it would be very desira- 

 ble to discover some mode of managing the vine to make it more satisfac- 

 tory in its fruitage. It is suggested that different modes of training may 

 produce the desired result. 



The Oporto is still allowed to remain upon the trellis where it was first 

 planted ; and there the bunches are likely to remain, unless occasionally 

 pulled as a curiosity, or to present to a visitor as a foil, or contrast, to some- 

 thing of greater merit. 



NEWER GRAPES. 



These are all introduced as rapidly as possible, not merely into the prop- 

 agating grounds, but choice plants are at once set out in the vineyards, 

 where they may be thoroughly tested ; so that these grounds have become 

 a favorite resort for study, at least for observing the adaptation of this soil 

 and climate to those that have been tried. 



The lona, when established, appears reasonably free from mildew, and 

 sufficiently vigorous, but has not been very productive, ripening at mid- 

 season, and, from some cause, coloring imperfectly. 



