274 transactions of the american institute. 



Grapes — What Kind to Grow. 



Mr. A. A. Blumser, Burlington, Iowa. — I have noticed that the Delaware, 

 Concord, Diana and Isabella were lately recommended as grape vines of 

 established and successful character. Will you permit me to tell you that 

 the Isabella in this part of the country seems to lose its habitat; although 

 it ripens a few days earlier than the Catawba, the berries have a hard 

 skin and pulp; its wine is deficient in aroma and alcohol, with an insipid, 

 aqueous taste; it is more fit for culinary than any other use. The berries 

 fall greatly when fully ripe, and sometimes bunches too. The best flavored 

 grape here, producing the best wine, is the Catawba, which is in general cul- 

 tivation in Southern Iowa; its grape is luscious, aromatic, rich in flavor, 

 ripens well, and well repays the labor bestowed on it. Wine sold from 

 Si. 50 to $2.50 per gallon. All other kinds of grape vines are yet scarce, 

 owing to the high price at which the}'^ are sold. 



Mr. Bergen. — I am satisfied with the Isabella grape. The specimens of 

 this grape, shown by Dr. Underbill at the Club last fall, were very fine. I 

 distinctly understood from Dr. Underbill that he had made good wine with- 

 out sugar from perfectly ripened Isabella grapes. The trouble is that it 

 seldom ripens perfectly, except in very favorable situations. 



Prof. Mapes thought that good wine could not be made from the Isabella 

 without previously drying the grapes. The juice of Isabella grapes, as 

 they are usually grown, bears but little resemblance to wine. 



Mr. Carpenter. — I understood from Dr. Underliill that he was supplying 

 both the Isabella and Catawba vines for cultivation on the Island of Ma- 

 deira. It was very singular tliat these vines should be sent there if the 

 fruit will not make wine. 



Prof. Mapes said it was not the Isabella but the Catawba vines that were 

 being sent to Madeira. A few Isabellas only had been sent for experiment. 

 The Catawba vines that have fruited there give great promise of success. 

 Grapes undergo a great change in transferring from one location to another. 

 The grape that produces the Madeira wine is the same that produces Hock 

 wine in Germany, and vines have been shifted back and forth to prove 

 this. 



Mr. Fuller. — The Concord is a very valuable grape. 



" The Cultivation of the Strawberry" and " Pruning of Fruit Trees " was 

 made the subject for discussion at the next meeting. 



Adjourned. JOHN W. CHAMBERS, Secretary. 



March 17, 1863. 

 Mr. Geo. H. Hite, of Morrisania, in the chair. 



The Oat Aphis. 



A farmer wishes to know the opinion of the Club in relation to the insect 

 that destroyed the oat crop to such an extent in New Jersey last year, and 

 whether it is likely to show itself again this year. 



Dr. Trimble. — The insect that afiected the oat crop last season was the 



