340 lona a>id Delaware. 



gard to the superior excellence of the lona grape for table or for wine. 

 No one can by words be made to realize the true value of this grape : only 

 by eating the fruit in sufficient quantity to become acquainted with it, and 

 by testing its wine by the side of the best wines of Europe, can a full 

 knowledge of its surpassing excellence be gained. Secondly, it was unjust, 

 because Dr. Grant had done more than any other man to introduce the 

 Delaware into all parts of our country ; thus giving grape-culture in 

 America a helping hand, which it particularly needed at that time. This 

 should have gained for him more consideration from those interested in 

 vine-growing. The true value of the lona is fast becoming known to our 

 best vineyardists. Already such veteran grape-growers as Mr. John E. 

 Mattier of Cincinnati, and Mr. William Griffith, late President of the I^ake- 

 shore Wine Company, are planting lona vines by tens of thousands. Hun- 

 dreds of men in all parts of our country are planting it alone, believing it 

 to be our very best grape, as all must believe who give it a thorough trial. In 

 five years, the wine from this grape will not only be known as the best we 

 have in this country, but the best in the world.* 



I have grown the lona from the first season it was offered for sale (1864). 

 The vines that I then procured have given me two crops of fruit. The 

 second season after planting, they were suffered to bear from four to six 

 clusters each. The fruit even on these young vines ripened perfectly and 

 in good time ; and although this was the season when the Catawba crop 

 was so much injured by rot, and the Concord dropped its fruit badly, yet 

 the lona showed no sign of rot or mildew, nor did it drop its fmit. These 

 vines passed safely through the following winter which killed so many 

 young vines of other varieties, and in the spring set a large quantity of 

 fruit, some of which was removed. The remainder (about two pounds to 

 the vine) was ripe at the same time as the fruit on Delaware vines one year 

 older : if any difference, it was in favor of lona. I made my first ship- 

 ment of Delawares to the Chicago market Aug. 24. I have planted many 

 hundred lona vines since, some of which I expect to bear fruit this coming 

 season ; and can safely say that I have had no more trouble in growing 

 lona or Delaware than Clinton or Concord, and have never lost a vine of 

 either, except under the same circumstances as destroyed all other kinds. 



* Our correspondent is enthusiastic, as his success may well cause him to be. We only hope the future 

 may prove the truth of his prophecy. — Eds. 



