Grapes in 1866. II 



purple. A tree fifteen or eighteen feet high, covered by hundreds of these 

 rich buds and blossoms, is one of the most splendid garden decorations 

 which any season can boast. In the shrubbery below, the yellow clusters 

 of the Mahonia begin to open, much like those of the common barberrj', 

 but far larger, and brighter in color. 



Triniiim grandifiorum unfolds its large triangular flowers of snowy white- 

 ness ; and the polyanthus, cowslip, and primrose, with their relative the 

 auricula, display their many-colored blossoms. All these deserve more 

 than a passing word ; but we reserve them for the next month, when they 

 are in their perfection. 



We have reached now the end of April, and with it the limit assigned 

 to this paper. In the next number, we shall speak of the flowers of May. 



Francis Parkinan. 



GRAPES IN 1866. 



I PURPOSE to give the readers of this journal a brief resume of my experi- 

 ence with various kinds of grapes during the present year, indulging in a 

 few introductory statements by way of preface. 



My interest in grape-culture dates from the year 1862 ; and ever since 

 that season I have taken the liveliest pleasure in planting vines, testing new 

 varieties, raising seedlings, and accumulating from my own observations 

 and notes all the information possible, both for my own guidance, and to 

 help those friends who may have caught the grape-fever later than myself. 



I compile, therefore, the present paper from a carefully-kept note-book, 

 not only as a pleasant duty, but inspired with the notion that perhaps my 

 brief experience may induce some yet grapeless man to plant one vine, — 

 the progenitor of many, — and thus introduce himself to a new pleasure and 

 most fascinating pursuit. 



As, in fruit-growing, the results obtained in any given season, however 

 anomalous they may be, are more or less directly influenced by the charac- 

 ter of the previous year, a word or two about 1864 and 1865 may not be 

 out of place. 



