32 



Not so, however, with the Delaware ; this proves one of the most difficult 

 of propagation, either from eyes, cuttings or layers, hence it must for a 

 length of time be procured with difficulty. We regret this, for it is one of 

 the most valuable not only for its earliness of ripening, but for its hardiness 

 in withstanding almost any degree of cold to which it can ever be subject- 

 ed. The Chairman of your Committee has had a vine of this variety plant- 

 ed out for four years, which withstood the winter of 1856-7, without injury 

 to the extent of a single inch of even the smallest shoot, while an Isabella 

 of the same age and on the same trellis was killed, both root and branch ; 

 the Diana, alongside, was killed to the ground. 



The Delaware, on its fourth year, was allowed to ripen fifty bunches, 

 which, for the table, proved most desirable. As a table-grape we see no 

 reason why it is not equal to the Rose Chasselas'; at least, it is a good sub- 

 stitute for either that or the Red Traminer. The past season (for the first 

 time,) it was subject to mildew, though slightly, when compared with other 

 varieties in its immediate vicinity. 



The mildew has been the most serious drawback we have to contend 

 with in open culture ; at least such was the difficulty the past season, and 

 unless the application of sulphur will serve to retard it, we do not see any 

 reason why we may not be obliged to abandon the culture of the vine. 

 The free use of sulphur accomplishes its object under glass, and perhaps 

 there is no good reason why it should not for out-door culture. The past 

 season was so wet that the mildew was much more serious in its ravages 

 than in any former period within our recollection. 



The Union (Union Village) has this year surpassed those of any former 

 exhibition ; the bunches weighed more than one pound each, and the ber- 

 ries were considerably larger than the general average of Black Ham- 

 burghs as we find them on the tables of the Society. The grapes were 

 shown by E. A. Bracket, Winchester, and since Mr. Bracket prides himself 

 on the introduction of this seedling (from the Isabella,) it is fair to presume 

 that by judicious thinning of the bunches and constant attention for the 

 encouragement of its growth he was determined to astonish the public ; 

 however, what has been done can be done again by others who have been 

 so fortunate as to possess themselves of a vine. 



In corroboration of its resemblance to the Black Hamburgh, we will 

 mention an anecdote, which seems well vouched. A distinguished culturist 

 of the vine, and probably the largest in this country, (who is a dear lover 

 of this variety for his family board,) presented bunches at the exhibition of 

 one of the most distinguished of our sister Societies, whose judges are not 

 second to those of any kindred Association. Accompanying the grapes he 

 sent a note, asking if they had ever seen better grown Black Hamburghs ? 

 So close was the resemblance of bunch and berry, that the highest premium 

 was awarded the contributor as the best Black Hamburghs, and were not 

 aware of their mistake till informed by the contributor. The berry has not the 

 consistency of the Hamburgh, while it possesses a sweetness at once distin- 

 guishable even to the most common observer, and it is fair to presume that 

 the Committee neglected testing the fruit. It is one of the most rampant 



