30 



The Union Village and the Rebecca both mildewed more than the 

 Diana. The Delaware, in our vicinity, did mildew some, but slightly. 



It appears that the prospect for success in the field or vineyard culture 

 of the grape in Massachusetts is not very flattering, On walls fronting 

 from south-southeast, round on the southern side to west-northwest, they 

 will do well ; an eastern exposure is subject to mildew. 



With the cultivation under glass, the season has been rather unfavorable. 

 A cold and cloudy winter and spring retarded the ripening of the early 

 crops, and delayed the maturity of the later ones several weeks. Here, 

 again, the mildew made sad ravages, and sulphur had to be used for the first 

 time in my experience in a winter forcing house. 



The extreme cold of the winter killed to the ground many Hamburgh 

 vines. In one of my houses, (a span-roofed,) six or eight Black Hamburgh 

 vines were killed root and branch, and this also is the first experience of 

 the kind in twenty-lhree years' cultivation. The Muscat of Alexandria 

 and the Queen of Nice were also killed to the roots. The Syrian was 

 badly injured. The vines uninjured were the Royal Red Chasselas, Bar 

 Sur Aube, Rose Chasselas, Chasselas Masque and the White Frontignan. 

 As the Chasselas with the Isabella produced the White Hybrid, it is satis- 

 factory to know that this is more hardy than many kinds. The Black Ham- 

 burgh and the Black Prince were also used in hybridizing, and the produce 

 of the former is apparent in No. 19 ; of the Black Prince, in one named 

 the Marion. 



Fire heat had been kept in this house during the months of October, 

 November, and a part of December. After the vines were pruned and 

 laid down, they were covered with matting, and shutters put to the side 

 lights, and the fires allowed to go out. It is uncertain whether these vines 

 were more tender in consequence of the fires. 



The question relative to the Barbarossa grape may be considered as 

 settled. The Prince Albert and Barbarossa, if not identical, are so like as 

 not to be worthy of distinctive names. The foliage and manner of growth, 

 which is peculiar, is similar in both. The fruit is sweet, hard, good and 

 valuable for its late maturity, but it is inferior to the Black Hamburgh. I 

 have suspended a part of a bunch of the Barbarossa with the Prince Albert 

 on a fruiting vine. By testing the flavor and firmness of the berry in eating 

 the fruit, first of one and then of the other, and by comparing the size and 

 form of the berry, I have concluded that I can discover not the slightest 

 difference in them. 



The Prince Albert has been exhibited by me for several years (with the 

 exception of 1856, when my vines did not fruit). The bunches are large, 

 often weighing four and five pounds. The grapes vary in size, some being 

 of the largest, some medium, and others small. I will soon send to your 

 exhibition a specimen bunch of the Prince Albert for your examination. 

 At this time the bunches still have unripe berries in them. 



Respectfully yours, 



John Fisk Alien. 

 Salem, Mass., Dec. Uth, 1857. 



