23 



" Grapes tliat may be forced, and wliich will mature their fruit in the least 

 period of time; — Pitmaston White, cluster; Musque Verdel ; — these two 

 ripen the soonest ; — Macready's Early White ; Black July." 



" Grapes, that require the longest time to mature their fruit, and which 

 keep fresh, without wilting, after ripe, several weeks, and are suitable for 

 retarding houses. The first named are the most valuable for tliis pur- 

 pose; — Wortley Hall seedling; Syrian; West St. Peters; Queen of Nice, 

 moderate bearer; Prince Albert, this is a poor bearer; Fcrrar, or JJlack 

 Portugal; Portion Noir ; Muscat of Alexandria, in its varieties. This may 

 be thought the best in quality, but it dries more than either of the before 

 named. This does not injure the flavor, and being a large berry, after 

 arriving at this state, they can be preserved until they become almost, if not 

 quite, raisins. 



The old Black Hamburg will keep with some wilting, and the Wil mot's 

 New, (the last season of 1853,) kept better than either of the Hamburgs. 

 The Victoria and Wilmot's No. 16, decayed soon after fully ripe. 



The old Black St. Peters and the Black Prince, although keeping better 

 than last year, are very inferior to those advised for the retarding house. 



Zinfindal dries badly, but when fully ripe, before this process begins, 

 the flavor remains fine. 



For out-door cultivation I have proved that the Diana grape will ripen on 

 an eastern exposure, where the Isabella cannot be matured. I think the 

 Committee cannot err in recommending this for extensive cultivation for 

 market. It is now, after many years' trial, fairly tested. It is frequently 

 a slow grower for the first and second season, but after this a very strong one. 



Cahot Grape. — A seedling, raised by Mr. A. W. Stetson of Braintree. 

 It is no doubt a cross of Grizzly Frontignan and Black Hamburg ; the 

 seed of the first named variety having produced the vine. The bunch is 

 long, with firm, short shoulders. The berries are medium size, round and 

 black, with a thick bloom. In flavor, Musque, but with much spirit, more 

 so perhaps, than some would like ; this quality can always be tempered by 

 suffering the fruit to remain on the vine until perfectly ripe, when the 

 grapes with this characteristic become quite sweet. The specimens exhib- 

 ited thus far have been ripened in a pot, and the vine has produced and 

 matured a large crop, for a vine so situated. It may be considered a seed- 

 ling of much promise." 



June 11th, and subsequently, Mr. Isaac Fay made a fine display of nu- 

 merous baskets of his seedling strawberry, to which he has given the name 

 of " Jenny Lind," said, by the producer, to be quite productive, of good 

 size, and fine flavor. Should it continue to maintain the character of pro- 

 ductiveness it will prove a desirable variety. 



June 21st.— M. H. Simpson presented a strawberry, called "Dr. Durfee's 

 seedling," of a rich sparkling flavor, with berries of an extra large size, and 

 though somewhat lacking in weight, it is not " hollow-hearted." Mr. Bow- 

 ditch made a fine display of " Coe's Transparent cherry," of which previous 

 mention has been made. The tree continues to show signs of great pro- 



