SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 



EPHRAIM W. BULL. 



On the face of the hillside iu old Concord stands the home of one whose 

 name in recent j-ears has often been grouped with the work of fruit grow- 

 ing in this country. There is nothing special to attract one in the appear- 

 ance of the house, but a few j-ears since as the writer was riding past witli 

 a friend, "There," said he, "is the home of the man who originated the 

 Concord grape, and made known its value to the world." So it was, for 

 here he lived many years and quietly did the great work which seemed 

 to be allotted to him. Just how it came about it does not matter now, 

 but somehow others won the profits that flowed to the introducer of the 

 Concord grape, and to Mr. E. W. Bull, who rtvised the variety from seeds 

 of his planting was given the fame alone. Perhaps this would seem of 

 slight account had not Mr. Bull lived to an age when he actually needed 

 the income his labors deserved. But iu the struggle for wealth merit is 

 often slighted. Perhaps in the unknown future such wrongs may be 

 righted, if it is ever possible to make a wrong right. It is not for us to 

 pass judgment, for iu the great scheme of the Creator there are many 

 things that finite creatures are entirelj- unable to explain, and it may be 

 well that it is so. Mr. Bull was born in Boston iu 1806 in a house on 

 Washington street. A large garden surrounded the house, and it was 

 here he began to study those things for which he afterwards became 

 famous. By trade he became a gold beater, but he had very little heart 

 in such an occupation, and about sixty years ago he removed to Concord, 

 where he passed the remainder of his life. As the infirmities of life began 

 to weigh upon him, iu appreciation of his great service to horticulture, 

 many were pleased to send him aid to make him comfortable in his old 

 age. It was a pleasure to aid him, and the gifts were received with pro- 

 found gratitude. His poverty was so great that it seemed best for him 

 to enter a charitable institution, and here his last days were spent in 

 peace and happiness. 



A gentleman who was well acquainted with him writes this beautiful 

 tribute to his memor}- : 



"A beautiful old man has left his home in Concord, exchanging it, as 

 we must think, for a better. A short time ago he met our deputj- and 

 replying jileasantlj' to congratulations upon his health, said : 'I have my 



