38 



decidedly superior quality, ripening in this county in the open 

 air, by the middle of September, prolific and suitable for the 

 table." These grapes were examined on September l2th, by 

 one of your committee, who found them then, as he states, 

 " ripening in the open air, prolific Sec." Mr. Blood represents, 

 that these grapes were raised from seeds of a Malaga Raisin, 

 sowed in Pots, and transplanted into the open ground — that 

 they have been in bearing for eight years, and have never, dur- 

 ing that period, failed to produce a crop, he farther says, diat 

 this year, they were fully ri})e in the last week in August, and 

 ihai consequently when exhibited, they had lost the peculiarly 

 rich and delicate flavor, that distinguishes them from other grapes. 



From this, it would seem, that the grapes of Mr. Blood, " if 

 of decidedly superior quality" — were justly entitled to the Pre- 

 mium of the Society ; for certainly those of the character here 

 represented, would be considered an acquisition to our some- 

 what limited stock of grapes suited to out door culture — but yei 

 your committee hesitate to make such award. 



It is very difficult, and must be dangerous, to form a decided 

 opinion respecting the quality ol any Fruit from testing it once 

 only, and then perhaps but a few specimens, because all Fruit 

 growers know that not only many species, but many varieties of 

 the same species, vary much in quality, in different years. This 

 is especially true of grapes, that seem to be peculiarly subject to 

 the contingencies of the season — and whose adaptation to gen- 

 eral cultivation, can only be ascertained, by a somewhat extend- 

 ed experience. These grapes have, it is true, been proved by 

 Mr. Blood, for several years, but your committee have seen them 

 but once, and responsible to the Society and, the public therefor, 

 they can make their award only upon their own examination and 

 judgment. 



In the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, no new seedling 

 Fruit can receive a premium, until it has been tested from three 

 to five years in succession, and the reasons that led to the adop- 

 tion of such rule apply forcibly to the case now under consid 



