146 ON THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW FIIUITS. 



though the discriminating mcnks of this fruit are sufficiently ob- 

 vious to those somewhat familiar with it, they are such as might 

 well pass unnoticed in a hasty and confused examination. One 

 thing is worthy of notice, wliich is, that under whatever name it 

 has beea spoken of, it has always been pronounced, and with 

 great propriety, a good fruit. This fruit in size is a little lar- 

 ger than most of our grapes, remains longer hi a state of eat- 

 ing, and when fully ripened in a favorable situation, the out- 

 ward skin loses in a great degree its tough or leathery char- 

 acter, the pulp, which encloses the seed, changes into a more 

 tender and liquid state, and the whole grape becomes a deli- 

 cious morsel to be ealen, and enjoyed as most foreign grapes, 

 or as the blackberry and raspberry, fruits so much esteemed by 

 all. This fruit is rather oblong in shape, varying in color from 

 what some would call a white to a flesh, and in some instan- 

 ces to a light purple or crimson. I'he vine is a good bearer, 

 and in common years, with usual cultivation, the fruit will be- 

 gin to ripen about the middle of September, and if not injur- 

 ed by frost, will continue on the vines till the middle of Octo- 

 ber, and perhaps later, and may be kept, if carefully gathered, 

 through November. The Committee venture to recommend 

 this as a fruit worth cultivation, though not of that high char- 

 acter contemplated in the ofl:er of premiums. 



The Chairman of this Committee has a variety of this 

 grape, which, in the opinion of many competent judges, is 

 thought to possess qualities which give it a decided preference 

 over the Haverhill grape, which may be regarded as the original 

 stock. This was not exhibited at the anniversary. 



DlVEllSITY IN THE QUALITIES OF CRAPES. 



Grapes, like other fruit, vary in size, shape, color, time of 

 ripening, length of time they can be preserved, adaptation to 

 particular uses, and in many other circumstances. Those a- 

 bout to commence grape orchards, or to multiply or enlarge 

 those already in existence, should have regard to this, and make 

 such selections as Avill in the result prove most gratifying or 

 profitable to them. There are now in the county, in process 

 of cultivation, various knids, from which selections might be 

 made, which would secure a constant supply of fruit in a state 



