^62 Notes and Gleanings. 



the others may exceed it in quality, yet it will rank at least as " very good ; " and, 

 on account of its earliness, it may be the most promising. Mr. Underhill is an 

 experienced cultivator and a careful observer ; and his commendation of the 

 habits of these products of his careful experiments is an assurance that we may 

 hope for varieties of permanent value from these unusually promising seedlings. 

 Arnold's Hybrids, black and white, long, loose bunches, berries small, having, to 

 a considerable degree, the characteristics of the Clinton, which is understood to 

 be one of the parents, — these were exhibited by Rev. W. H. Wilcox. Our sea- 

 son has been unfavorable for them, and probably they were not fair specimens. 

 The introducer of the Walter Grape exhibited a beautiful case of this fruit. 

 The bunches and berries were larger than our best Delaware, of which we had 

 superior specimens. The quality was not quite equal, not so tender as Dela- 

 ware, but still very good. We can form no opinion as to its time of ripening 

 and its habits, as it is understood to be carefully guarded, and not brought into 

 comparison with other kinds. If it shall prove to be early, hardy, vigorous, 

 and productive, it will be valuable. 



" Mr. James Cruikshank again exhibited the Fedora, a seedling of the Chas- 

 selas type, which he regards as more capable of enduring our climate. It has 

 been cultivated in Chelsea for some years past. This year was a severe test 

 for it, and its appearance was creditable under adverse circumstances. N. B. 

 White exhibited a seedling resembling Rogers's No. 4, not ripe, but large, and 

 sweeter than was expected. This may improve in a favorable season, and is 

 worthy of careful trial. As before stated, some fine bunches of the Delaware 

 were exhibited, especially those of Mr. W. H. Barnes. The vines of Mr. S. G. 

 Damon, of this variety, were healthy, and remarkably well loaded with clusters. 

 Still, we can only recommend the Delaware for positions having the shelter of 

 buildings, or of high, close fences. A small bunch of Eumelan was received 

 from Dr. Grant, Oct. 7. It was well set, with black, round berries, of medium 

 size ; skin thin, but of much strength ; pulp melting, moderately juicy, a very 

 agreeable sub-acid with no foxiness, but not of high flavor. Its value depends 

 upon the three essential qualities for our climate ; namely, health, earliness, and 

 productiveness. 



" Foreign grapes were in good supply, and of good quality at the annual 

 exhibition ; but there has been a decided lack of forced grapes. This decline in 

 interest is to be regretted, since there is no fruit which is more easy of culture, 

 and none other which attains to the highest excellence in quality, under glass. 



" We call attention to the award of the special prize of sixty dollars to 

 Messrs. F. & L. Clapp, for the best seedling pear, the ' Clapp's Favorite,' after 

 a trial of five years." 



In summer-pruning grape-vines, if the laterals are wholly cut out, it will be 

 apt to cause the buds on which the next season's crop depends to push this 

 summer, to the great injury, if not tlie total loss, of the crop. The laterals should 

 have at least one joint left ; and perhaps it would be better not to stop them at 

 all, as they are intimately connected with the organization of the buds at their 

 base. American vines will not bear the close summer-pruning given to the 

 grape in Europe. 



