Alton (III.) Horticultural Society. 389 



son. Vegetables, — E. A. Riehl. Entomology, — J. Huggins. Botany, — Mrs. 

 E. S. Hull. Ornithology, - \V. E. Smith. 



Dr. Hull reported on the vineyard of J. E. Starr. This vineyard contains by 

 far the largest collection of grapes yet planted in this region ; but, not being 

 within convenient distance of our regular Vineyard Committee, it has received 

 but casual observation from them. I have, therefore, consented to give the 

 impressions of two days spent in it during the time of ripening, gratifying 

 the pleasure of sight and taste. The most prominent varieties cultivated are the 

 following : — 



Rogers's Hybrids, No. i. — A late grape ; the leaves much injured by the shade 

 of trees. The maturity of these grapes doubtless was retarded by the proximity 

 of forest-trees. These consume the gases in the atmosphere, and thus starve 

 the vines. 



No. 2. — Vines healthy. In bunches, berries, and color, it resembles the 

 Concord. The grapes, with the exception of a few scattering berries, were hardly 

 ripe ; skin thick ; a highly spirited grape, of good quality. 



No. 3. — Strong grower ; foliage coarse ; bunches loose, about the size of Ca- 

 tawba ; berries one-third larger, of a dark amber ; quality nearly or quite equal to 

 the Delaware. 



No. 4. — Should this grape continue to prove nearly as productive as the 

 Concord, its abilities to resist disease, its great productiveness, and the superior 

 quality of its fruit, combined, will make it one of the most desirable dessert 

 grapes. To our thinking, it has just the right blending of sugar and acid to suit 

 the majority of tastes. Bunches of medium size ; berries large, purple ; ripening 

 evenly. 



No. 5. — Vines vigorous ; bunches of medium size; berries large; Catawba 

 flavor. 



No. 9. — Canes of medium strength ; foliage thick ; healthy ; a good bearer ; 

 bunches rather above the medium size ; berries loose ; color of Catawba. From 

 the thickness of its skin, it ought to keep well, and bear distant transportation. 

 Quality very good. 



No. 1 3. — Strong grower ; bunches small and loose ; berries medium to large ; 

 slightly foxy ; tough ; seeds large ; hardly as good as Concord. 



No. 15. — Mr. Rogers, I believe, considers this his best number yet sent out. 

 In canes and fruit, it is about as vigorous and productive as the majority of the 

 Rogers's. Hybrids quality best. To our taste, it would be preferred to either 

 of the others but for a slight unpleasant flavor about the skin ; pulp a little hard. 

 The slight roughness about the skin, and firmness of pulp, were, we think, due to 

 the overcropping of the vines, as we found specimens free from both. 



No. 38. — A high vinous, spirited grape, with excess of acid ; bunches small, 

 compact ; berries medium to large ; color purple, covered with a thick bloom. 



This and others of Rogers's seedlings, in foliage, are closely allied to the Con- 

 cord. The leaves, though not quite so large, are as thick, and seem to resist 

 the attacks of thrips as well as that celebrated sort. 



Rebecca. — Here as elsewhere in this region, under vineyard culture, it is 

 worthless. Mildew and thrips defoliate the canes. 



