20 



all near those bunches, were cut away. Before the blossoming the buds were 

 thinned out, leaving only one fourth part of the strongest and best placed 

 of them. As they expanded, they were constantly watched and the anthers 

 at once cut away with sharp scissors. With a soft brush the pollen from 

 the European kinds was applied. This was collected from a forcing house 

 and was mixed together in a box, having been taken from " Chasselas," 

 " Black Prince," and Black Hamburg. When the impregnation took ef- 

 fect, the embryo swelled at once ; when otherwise, it remained as it Avas. 

 Thus I was assured that any seed obtained must produce a hybrid vine. 

 When the fruit ripened, the seed was collected and planted in soil which I 

 felt certain could not have any other seed of grapes sown accidentally. 

 The young vines have always been under my care. I potted them and re- 

 potted them, and planted them out. Those already fruited have proved 

 black in color, all but one, and this being so remarkably early and a very 

 sweet fine fruit, that I at once considered it an acquisition. The seedlings 

 were exposed to the winter, after they had become somewhat grown. The 

 tender ones were killed out, leaving over twenty that have proved sufficient- 

 ly hardy to withstand our winters, with a slight covering of straw around 

 their roots. This grape has been named " Allen's Hybrid." It must be 

 proved now in exposed situations before it can be fully known that it is 

 adapted to culture in the open air in our climate. 



The vines that have fruited have all been under glass, not forced however, 

 and in a very favorable situation, fronting north of east, and shaded by 

 large trees. It is questioned if " Black Hamburgs " or Chasselas would 

 ripen in this house. There is no doubt of this grape proving a valuable 

 one for early forcing and the cold grapery. It has been questioned that 

 this is the origin of this variety, and the fact that a white can be produced 

 from a black grape denied. It is said that a seed of some European varie- 

 ty must have been in the soil and produced this vine. I cannot deny that 

 this may not be the fact. I do not think so, however, and the foliage shows 

 every indication of a hybrid. N. Longworth, Esq., of Cincinnati, has raised 

 white seedlings from our natives, and a fine white from the Catawba. He 

 thinks so at least ; the doubters probably will say in his case, also, that he is 

 deceived. The foliage of American kinds is so unlike the European, that 

 the charge of a Chasselas or Sweetwater seed having been in the soil, can- 

 not apply in his case. 



It will require two or three seasons yet before those hybrid seedlings will 

 be so tested as to warrant their introduction into cultivation in the open air. 

 If you consider these remarks relative to grapes to be of any public value, 

 you can make what use you please of them. 



Respectfully Yours, John Fisk Allen. 



Melons have proved almost an entire failure. 



Nectarines, having the advantage of being grown under glass, have 

 proved equally attractive with former seasons. 



Peaches, grown under glass and exhibited early in the season, were size- 

 able and well colored from all sources. 



