12 Grapes and Grape-Culture. 



GRAPES AND GRAPE-CULTURE. 



The characteristics of some of the most popular varieties of grapes, and 

 their adaptabiUty to certain soils and locations, should be considered natu- 

 rally in the pursuit of our subject ; and the present paper will be devoted 

 to their consideration. 



While it is true that a few varieties of grapes seem to flourish, and yield 

 satisfactory results, in any soil of moderate fertility, and in almost any 

 locality within the limits of grape-growing, it is also true that there are 

 many others which seem suited only to special soils and locations. Others, 

 also, there are, which partially succeed almost ever)^vhere, but only do well 

 \\h,::c; their individual and peculiar wants are regarded. 



Of the first of these three classes, the grape which seems to adapt itself 

 most generally to all kinds of soil and to all situations and conditions, and 

 the most perfect t)'pe of its class, is the Concord ; and, notwithstanding 

 its inferiority as a fruit, it is more popular, and probably more extensively 

 planted, than any other variety in the Union. This is mainly owing to the 

 healthy, hardy, and vigorous character of the vine itself, enabling it to bear 

 much of ill treatment and neglect, and still yield its generous fruit in abun- 

 dance ; and, though the grapes are not of fine quality, they are ver}' ac- 

 ceptable to those who can not or will not fulfil the conditions necessar}' to 

 produce those which are better. 



Another variety of this class, though usually regarded as net. equal in 

 quality to the Concord, is the Hartford Prolific. In hardiness, healthi- 

 ness, and general habit of growth, it is, perhaps, equal ; and has the advan- 

 tage of earlier ripening, which enables it to be grown in localities farther 

 north than the Concord will mature. 



Of the newer varieties that seem entitled to a position in this class may 

 be mentioned Ives's Seedling, which originated near Cincinnati, O., and 

 has already obtained a high local reputation as a red-wine grape. In habit 

 of growth and foliage, it is much like Hartford Prolific. In quality as 

 a table-grape, I regard it as intermediate between Concord and Hartford, 

 though more pulpy than either of those varieties. Its period of ripening is 

 later than the Concord, although it is colored somewhat earlier. 



