278 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



on the upper surface and passes to the peduncle, and thence to the fruit, 

 and is of a dark color. The one to which our native varieties are liable 

 appears more gross, presenting the appearance of small transparent blad- 

 ders, or minute pearls, that are disposed to attach themselves along the 

 mid-rib of the leaf on the under side ; consequently they often destroy it 

 before a person is aware of what is the matter. This native mildew and 

 sun-scald are mutually disposed toward each other ; that is, if a plant is 

 weakened by sun-scald, it is particularly predisposed to be attacked by 

 mildew, and a plant upon which mildew fastens is obnoxious to sun-scald, 

 as its life-blood is sucked out by this parasitic plant. The fruit of the 

 Traminer does not resemble the Delaware as much as a Baldwin apple 

 does a Spitzenberg, and one who can see a diiFerence between these would 

 not find it difficult to distinguish the grapes. If you will pick the Dela- 

 ware before it is quite ripe, you will find that the skin parts readily from 

 the flesh like the other natives ; the Traminer adheres to the flesh the 

 same as others of its class. If you allow young vines of the Delaware to 

 mature all the fruit that sets, they will have quite a tough pulp, and have 

 that peculiar foxiness which no foreign grape ever had. 



Dr. Grant. — The history of the Delaware grape is, that it originated in 

 the garden of Mr. Provost, in Frenchtown, N. J., and is supposed to be a 

 seedling from the Catawba, hybridized, perhaps, with some foreign variety. 

 It first became known at Delaware, Ohio, a few years ago, and now, 

 wherever known, it is esteemed above all other varieties for its wonderful 

 hardiness, as well as excellence of fruit. Mr. Longworth, who at first 

 thought the Delaware and Traminer identical, has now given up all idea 

 of that kind ; and his head gardener stated to me, a short time since, that 

 he considered the Delaware the best grape in this country for general 

 cultivation. 



The Chairman asked the Doctor to state whether fiirmers in general can 

 easily prepare ground for grapes. 



Dr. Grant replied, that any good corn land, deeply prepared, will grow 

 grapes, but for a successful vineyard the land should be trenched three feet 

 deep, and made rich, and there is nothing better than swamp muck for this 

 purpose. It should be composted with animal manure, and well rotted, 

 and thoroughly mixed with the soil. 



R. G. Pardee. — The people of this country have undoubtedly been much 

 imposed upon by this Red Traminer grape, sent to them as the genuine 

 Delaware. Some nurserymen have also been imposed upon. Those who 

 wish to plant a true Delaware vine must be careful where they obtain their 

 stock. I have examined a good many bearing vines, and have never found 

 one that did not-give the highest satisfaction. 



Dr. Grant stated that he had imported every variety of grape, and had 

 found none that could withstand our winters, while the Delaware grows in 

 every kind of exposure, and never sufi'ers. As for the story about the 

 Delaware growing wild in Pennsylvania, I have investigated that matter 



