NOVEMBER. 533 



invit;ition : there was present at the board several of the best cultivators of 

 hothouse o^rapes; each and all were unanimous in pronouncing (as delicious) 

 on several of the varieties (a full account of which uiH be given in the 

 Committee's annual report) viz., Rebecca, Allen's Hybrid No. 19, Wight, 

 Winship, Allen's Hybrid No. 3, Wyman, &c. The three first named are 

 white grapes. At the time of trial of quality, we had Isabellas, Dianas, 

 and Cata«bas to compare the quality. The following note accompanied 

 the contribution from Mr. Allen : — 



"Hybrid No. 19, probably impregnated by Black Hamburgh, blossomed 

 on June 24th, (August 25th coloring); the same time that the Isabella and 

 Diana colors, the former much better situated; the Diana on a building, but 

 on an east exposure. Should think that these two hybrids would ripen in 

 ten days less time than the Isabella, at least, and as early if not earlier than 

 the Diana. Twenty years since I had Isabella vines where these hybrids 

 now are, in the open air, in my garden, and removed them in consequence 

 of their failure to mature a crop oftener than once in five years, owing to 

 the cold wet soil. 



You have Isabella and Diana (to test with these hybrids) from the vines 

 named above. As these two varieties have been fairly proved the best for 

 common cultivation in this vicinity, it is fair that all seedlings be compared 

 with them ; if better, or earlier, or both, then we have gained something ; 

 if the reverse, they had better be discarded after three years' bearing, so as 

 not to multiply varieties of no value. I find the first year of fruiting not a 

 true test, as they usually improve one and two years, but occasionally they 

 deteriorate. ' 



Allen's Hybrid was grown under glass, and has been ripe since Jst Au- 

 gust, showing that it has the valuable property of keeping long upon the 

 vine. It was not forced, but blossomed on the 7th May, and had but five 

 hours sun on the house daily. It is one of the earliest. 



Hybrid No, 3 is evidently a cross of Black Prince and Isabella. I think 

 it will grow sweet yet this year. It is in a Avet situation, and has had all 

 the drainage of the garden this wet season, and this will destroy the rich- 

 ness of flavor always. It bloomed June 28th — seven days later than Isa- 

 bella ; began to color 23d August (two days before Isabella in a much more 

 favorable situation.) 1856, Isabella on south wall of dwelling house blooms 

 21st June, August 25th coloring. Some bunches now ripe and part not 

 ripe. This vine under my care has never failed to ripen its crop the past 

 thirteen years." 



C. E. Grant exhibited quite a number of dishes of Isabella and Catawba 

 grapes fully ripened ; also Black Hamburgh grapes. Late Crawford peaches, 

 and Beurre Bosc pears. From Breck &- Son, Wyman grapes. From G. B. 

 Cutter, extra fine Isabella grapes. From J. Hayley, Urbaniste pears. 

 From Simeon Soule, Duchesse d'Angouleme years. From S. Kemp, Seck- 

 els, extra fine. From Isaac Fay, Seckels, extra fine. From E. Brown, 

 Louise Bonne de Jersey, Duchesse d'Orleans, Bergamotte, Long Green, 

 Fred. Wurtemberg pears. From C. Young, peaches, three years from the 

 planting of the pit or stones. From J. A. Stetson, Urbaniste pears and 



