Notes and Gleanings. i8i 



The European Grape in the Open Air. — The question whether the 

 varieties of the Vitis vmifera can be made to flourish in the open air in this 

 country, has, after much experiment, been supposed to be settled in the nega- 

 tive ; and such has been the improvement in the native species, that the ques- 

 tion of accHmating the European is of much less consequence than formerly. 

 Perhaps some may think it inexpedient to open it again ; but a communication in 

 the Country Gentleman, from Dr. S. J. Parker, of Ithaca, N. Y., states some facts 

 bearing on it, which we think worthy of being noted. They are in relation to seed- 

 lings raised by David Thompson, of Green Island, Albany County, N. Y. His 

 principle was to take the choicest foreign varieties, and so seed and re-seed them, 

 that the Vitis vinifera of the old world should endure the climate of the new con- 

 tinent without the protection of glass. And for years, in a small vineyard on 

 Green Island, he has exhibited the foreign vines thus re-seeded, in health, and 

 with loads of the choicest clusters. The last three years he has invited every 

 intelligent grape grower to come and see these seedlings ; and thousands have 

 availed themselves of the opportunity, among whom was Dr. Parker, who as- 

 sured himself of the following facts : — 



" 1st. Mr. Thompson does grow with health, some hundreds of foreign seed- 

 lings in open air, without unusual protection. 2d. The sweetness and flavor are 

 such, that if they can be grown extensively in the United States, in the same 

 manner as at Green Island, then he is the greatest of grape simpletons who does 

 not buy and cultivate them ; for no American grape can compare in quality with 

 them. I say this advisedly; their flavor, size, and sweetness, are beyond all 

 dispute. There is no possibility of any discussion as to quality and beauty 

 of bunches ; they are unsurpassed by any collection in America, growing any- 

 where in the open air. No honest man will dispute this. 3d. They are prolific, 

 with large, full clusters ; and so far as proven, they are hardy, in the sense of 

 hardiness that endures the climate of the vicinity of Albany, N. Y. Whether 

 they are hardy in all places, remains to be proven. They, too, ripen their wood 

 perfectly in the open air, so as to be in prime order for the next season's bearing." 



Dr. Parker further remarks, " that there are places near me in Central New 

 York, where no Isabella, Catawba, Delaware, or other grape, will ever be sweet 

 and choicely ripened, where the Chasselas will ripen ; that on the shores of Lake 

 Ontario, the best Miller's Burgundy I ever ate are grown, where none of the 

 best American grapes will grow ; that the Traminer and other later varieties do 

 grow in certain other localities. And hence we should not be so silly as to 

 assert that we never can get seedlings of foreign grapes worth oar attention, 

 suited to general cul:ivation." 



Moisture in Trees. — According to Dr. Hartig's experiments, woods (trees) 

 generally contain during the winter months about an average of 50.7 per cent, 

 of moisture ; in March and April, about 46.9 per cent. ; in May, June, and July, 

 about 48 per cent., while up to the end of November the quantity of moisture 

 increases but little. Air-dried wood (timber) contains from twenty to twenty-five 

 per cent, of water, and never less than ten per cent. 



M amifacturcr and Builder. 



