344 Grapes in 1869. 



GRAPES IN 1869. 



By J. M. Merrick, Jun., Walpole, Mass. 



We have not had so good a season for grapes as the present since 1864. 

 All varieties that usually ripen well have ripened perfectly ; and some that 

 seldom mature here have had time enough this fall for complete develop- 

 ment. 



Allen'' s Hybrid a.nd A Ivey. — Foliage healthy where other vines mil- 

 dewed. No fruit. 



Adirondack. — A delicate, feeble grower. It taxes my patience severely. 

 I have a row of vines — Crevelipgs, lonas, and Adironacks — planted at the 

 same time ; and, while the first two have borne two crops, the Adirondack 

 has made only a few knitting-needle canes, and not shown one berry. 

 Mildewed considerably. 



Concord. — Bore full, and ripened splendidly. No sign of disease. In 

 blossom June 18. It is a rather curious fact, and shows how the popular 

 taste runs, that Concord grapes were selling in the Boston market, the first 

 week in October, for sixty cents for a three-pound-and-a-half box ; while 

 the same weight of Delawares could be bought for half a dollar. It seems 

 to me that inexperienced people must be deceived by the color of the Dela- 

 wares, and think them unripe. 



Cynthiana. — A free-growing, healthy vine. No fruit. 



Clara and Clinton. — Discarded. 



Creveling. — This variety behaved well ; set tolerably compact clusters, 

 which were fully ripe and very fine between the 15th and 20th of Septem- 

 ber. For market, I suppose they could have been picked and sold before 

 the 15th. The leaves held on well, and only a few of the lower ones mil- 

 dewed. The Creveling will gain friends if it keeps on like this. 



Cottage. — My vine pushed its shoots too early, and was frost-bitten, but 

 made a good strong second growth. The fruit is Concord-like, but sweeter, 

 and possibly has less native flavor, but drops from the stem like the 

 Hartford. 



Delaware. — Blossomed June 20. The leaves mildewed a little ; but 

 the mildew was checked by sulphur. Ripened well. 



