Grapes and Grape-Culture. 13 



The Ives has recently received the highest award — three hundred dol- 

 lars in silver plate — offered by the Longworth Wine-House "for the best 

 general wine-grape for our whole country;" which will, doubtless, add much 

 to its popularity. I may also here mention, that to the Concord was awarded 

 the second and third premiums, — a silver goblet valued at a hundred dol- 

 lars " for the best wine-grape for Ohio," and a silver cup valued at fifty 

 dollars " for the best table-grape of our whole country." I do not propose 

 to criticise or remark upon the decisions of that committee at this time ; 

 but I do hope to see the day when such grapes cannot take such premiums. 



The above are all black grapes. The principal faults of the Concord as 

 a market-variety, aside from its quality, are rapid deterioration after being 

 taken from the vine, and a tenderness of the skin that renders it very easily 

 injured by handling. The Hartford often falls easily from the bunch as 

 soon as fully ripe. The Ives appears free from these defects, but, so far, 

 seems less productive than either of the others named. In favorable sea- 

 sons, all these varieties remain healthy, and untouched by mildew or rot ; 

 and, in unfavorable ones, suffer less than most others. 



A white grape of recent introduction — a seedling from the Concord, 

 named Martha, so far as I can judge from an experience of some six 

 years — will be found eminently worthy to join this class, as it has all the 

 characteristics of hardiness, vigor, and healthiness of root, vine, and foliage, 

 of its parent, with the addition of being a grape of much higher character. 

 It is also earlier in ripening than the Concord, which will give it a wider 

 range than that variety. In flavor and quality, it is also much more refined 

 and delicate. It is in color a pale, yellowish green, with thin, white bloom ; 

 skin thin, but tenacious ; flesh tender and melting, with but little pulp ; 

 flavor very sweet and rich ; slightly vinous, with a little of the native aroma, 

 which is, however, more palpable to the smell than the taste ; seiJs few 

 and small ; size of bunch and berry medium, but improving each year as 

 vines grow older. The present season gave bunches four and a half inches 

 long, and berries full three-fourths of an inch in diameter. It has, thus far, 

 shown no indications of either rot or mildew ; and I venture to predict 

 for it even greater popularity among white grapes than the Concord has 

 achieved among black ones ; for, all things considered, I know no white 

 native grape of equal value, or for which I would exchange it. It has also 



