Trcatvicnt of the American Grape -Vine. 265 



did I observe less than forty pounds of grapes, and upon many there could 

 not have been less than eighty pounds. And, with this remarkable crop, I 

 saw, on the 24th of August, many clusters which were more than half colored, 

 notwithstanding the fact that the season has been most unpropitious for 

 ripening grapes. The Isabellas, Catawbas, Concords, and lonas, treated 

 in the same way, showed the same result ; and with the exception of the 

 Catawbas, which were slightly affected with the rot, they were free from 

 disease ; while in an adjoining vineyard of Isabellas, planted on the same 

 soil, but which had been pruned in accordance with the ordinary method, 

 both leaf and berry were badly stricken with mildew. Nor is this an ex- 

 ceptional year in Mr. Byington's experience ; for I have been informed by 

 most intelligent and credible authority, that, for several years, this same 

 anomaly of heavy crops and early ripening has been characteristic of his 

 vines. 



In what I have written, I do not know that I have, in all its details, cor- 

 rectly stated Mr. Byington's theory ; but the facts set forth are from 

 personal observation. I will only add, that if the fruit, this season, shall, 

 upon proper tests, prove to be equal in quality to that ripened upon vines 

 which have been planted and pruned in accordance with the methods usu- 

 ally pursued in vineyards, I shall be satisfied that Mr. Byington has added 

 much, very much, to our existing knowledge in reference to the cultivation 

 of the native vine in vineyards. 



Brocton, N.Y., Aug. 30, 1869. 



P. S.^ — Since the foregoing article was written, I have heard from Mr. 

 Byington the result of his vintage. His Delaware vines, five years old, and 

 planted sixteen feet apart, yielded an average of fifty pounds to the vine, 

 of as choice, sweet, and well-ripened fruit as I ever tasted. His vines of 

 the same variety, which bore this year for the first time, averaged over six- 

 teen pounds each. An acre of Isabellas treated in the same manner has 

 yielded him five tons of delicious fruit ; and this has been by no means an 

 exceptional year. E. F. U. 



