232 THE GRAPE CULTURIST. 



ADDITIONAL LIST. 



The following list comprises those varieties of which we 

 know but little, as they have not been thoroughly tested, 

 and another class which we have either fully tested or have 

 seen enough to know that they are not worthy of cultiva- 

 tion at the present time, although before the introduction 

 of better varieties they were the best to be had. In giv- 

 ing this list, and making notes upon the different varieties, 

 I do not wish to be understood as deciding for others ; I 

 give my own opinion, and if it disagrees with that of 

 others I can not help it. 



I have remarked that the real value of a variety can not 

 always be determined by the appearance or quality of the 

 fruit upon a single vine. A variety may, however, pos- 

 sess a character so poor that there would be no hope of 

 improving it so as to make it worthy of place even in the 

 largest collection. For instance, no one will suppose that 

 a wild fox grape can be changed l)y cultivation so that it 

 would be really any better than when it was in its wild 

 state. Wild fruits are seldom much improved by cultiva- 

 tion. It is only when we produce new varieties from seed 

 that we can expect improvements, and it is only the highly 

 improved varieties that are much affected by slight changes 

 of soil and location. Keeping this in mind, we can the 

 more readily determine the value of any new variety that 

 may be presented to us. No amount of care or change of 

 soil or location will make a wild fox or frost grape worthy 

 of cultivation ; and any seedling that partakes strongly of 

 the wild character of the species from which they were 

 grown, will not be likely to be much improved. 



ALEXANDER. 



Bunch large, shouldered, compact. Berries medium to 

 large, oval, black. Poor flavor, somewhat foxy. Too late 

 to be of value here. 



