20 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of clay; these had made a growth of twelve feet; others had ])een 

 treated with horse manure. The bunches of grapes averaged seven 

 inches in length. On some vines the grapes were ripe and the 

 following Saturday were in the best condition." 



"An Isabella vine on the house, although in a better locality, had 

 not ripened at all. Should this new variety prove as early in other 

 places we predict a general cultivation where Isabella fails. jNIr. 

 Bull had at this time some fifteen hundred seedlings showing many 

 forms of leaf. From the sample of wine from this grape we fully 

 believe that it will be valuable for wine making." 



It seems that some of the members of the Fruit Committee of 

 the Society were in doubt as to whether or not the vines Avere girdled 

 in order to produce clusters which weighed a pound as this was an 

 unheard of thing at that time, and in order to satisfy themselves 

 they sent two of their number out to Concord to see the vines and 

 report to the committee. The two members arrived in Concord 

 on the noon train and took a carriage to jNIr. Bull's house. Not 

 finding him at home, they asked and received permission to look 

 over the vines, and, after satisfying themselves that they were not 

 girdled, went back to Boston and reported that not only were there 

 bunches as large as those exhibited, but many larger and no vines 

 girdled. 



In the summer of 1853, having worked up a large stock of the 

 vines, Mr. Bull placed the whole in the hands of Hovey & Co., 

 to be sold by them, and this firm advertised it as follows: "This 

 remarkable, fine American variety is the greatest acquisition 

 which has yet been made to our hardy grapes and supplies the 

 desideratum so long wanted of a superior table grape sufficiently 

 hardy to withstand the coldest climate, and early enough to ripen 

 its fruit in any part of the Northern or Northeastern States. It 

 is four Meeks earlier than Isabella and two weeks earlier than 

 Diana. It was fully ripe last season on September 3, Avhen speci- 

 mens were exhibited at the INIassachusetts Horticultural Society. 

 It is a most vigorous growing vine, perfectly hardy, with bunches 

 of large size, handsomely shouldered, often weighing a pound, 

 and with large rounded oval berries, frequently measuring an inch 

 in diameter; color very dark, covered with a thick blue bloom; 

 flesh free from all pulp; flavor very rich and luscious with a fine, 



