APPENDIX. 149 



spaded, and cultivated with as much care as you would 

 bestow on a crop of corn. A summer pruning is also 

 necessary, which consists in thinning out the superflu- 

 ous growth, and pinching in the laterals. The leaves 

 of the grape-vine must in no case be removed. The 

 best time to prune is in the fall and early winter. 



The best grapes for this latitude are the Isabella, 

 Catawba, and Early Black, or Madeira ; the latter only 

 for the garden ; the Charter Oak, Koyal Muscadine, (a 

 synonyme), and others of that class, are worthless hum- 

 bugs. The Diana is a small, sweet and rather pleasant 

 grape, and desirable for localities where the Isabella 

 will not ripen.* The Clinton and some others which 

 are well spoken of I have had no opportunity of test- 

 ing, and I have seen the fruit of many seedlings, which 

 deserve no further mention, with the exception of a 

 white variety with the Catawba flavor, and ripening 

 first of September. I think this last will prove to be 

 a very good grape. 



Bat this letter has reached a great length, and I 

 must close it, with all its shortcomings. If it con- 



* I have elsewhere stated, in a report, as the result of further 

 experience, that I consider the Diana valuable for general cultiva- 

 tion ; and since then, the American Pomological Society has put it 

 on its general list. It is certainly a fine grape. The Concord, in 

 regard to which there has been so much controversy, is deserving 

 of a full and fair trial. January, 1856. 



