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injurious ; those planted after only common sub- 

 soil ploughing having dono best. Deep trench- 

 ing and manuring tend to draw the roots too 

 far down, as before-mentioned. 



LIST or BK9T NATIVE ORAPIS. 



In the Grape Islands the Catawba is the one 

 most cultivated, and the Isabella next ; but the 

 Concord is taking the place of the latter on ac- 

 count of its greater vigor and hardiness. The 

 Delaware is also getting more and more into 

 cultivation, but the former is considered the 

 most profitable ; and as if cannot be grown so 

 successfully on the mainland, back from the in- 

 fluence of the lake, there will always be a de- 

 mand for it from the Islands where it matures so 

 well. 



As yet but few varieties can be recommended ' 

 for general cultivation in Canada. The follow- 

 ing are the best and are placed in their order of 

 ripening : — 



Adirondac. — This is a new grape of fair qua- 

 lity, and one of the earliest yet raised. At Mon- 

 treal in 18G0, though a most unfavorable sea- 

 son, it ripened in the open garden by the 14th of 

 September, at which time the Delaware was only 

 beginning to color. If it were perfectly hardy 

 it would be all that is required ; but it is not 

 more hardy than the Isabella, which is evidently 

 its parent. The bunches are of good size ; the 

 berries as large and of the same color as the 

 Isabella, but more round ; the flavor is good. 



Delaware. — Bunches small, compact, gene- 

 rally shouldered ; berries small, round, light 

 red; skin very thin ; very sweet and delicious ; 

 almost without pulp ; pretty hardy, but h the 

 better of protection ; ripens in September. It 

 requires higher culture than the others, as it is a 

 weak and slender grower. 



Ilart/ord Prolific. — Bunches and berries large ; 

 dark purple with a blue bloom ; pretty good in 

 quality, but with too much pulp. Berries apt 

 to fall from the bunch when ripe ; except for its 

 earliness it cannot be recommended, and it can- 

 not compare to those previously described. 



Concord. — A very vigorous and hardy vine, 

 suitable for general culture in "Western Canada ; 

 bunch large and shouldered ; berries large, 

 round, almost black, covered with a full bloom ; 

 flavor good, though not first-rate. Horace Gree- 

 ley's prize of $100 for the best grape for general 

 cultivation was in 18GG awarded to the Con- 

 cord for its many good qualities. 



CZj'nion.— Bunches small, compact; berriea 

 small, black covered with bloom ; it colors 

 pretty early, but is not fit to eat for a consider- 

 able time after. As it is perfectly hardy, and 

 will stand the winter without protection through- 

 out Canada, it is suitable for covering arbors, 

 &c. It is also extensively used for vineyard culture 

 in Canada. The Franklin, a seedling from this, 

 bids fair to be much superior. It is earlier, 

 larger in the bunch and berry, and better flavor- 

 ed, while equally hardy and otherwise aimilar. 



Diana. — Bunches small ; very compact ; light 

 red ; sweet and good flavored, but not a hand- 

 some color, and liable to become opaque when 

 the bunches are exposed to the full sun ; a very 

 strong grower, but does not ripen its wood well. 

 Some prize it very highly, bat it cannot be re- 

 commended for general culture. 



Isabella. — Bunches large , berries large ob- 

 long ; when well-grown, nearly round ; dark 

 purple, nearly black, covered with a blue bloom ; 

 flavor good. In the west, except in very severe 

 seasons, it stands the winter without protection; 

 it will only ripen well in the more favored lo- 

 calities, and will soon be replaced with the Adi- 

 rondac and others. 



Catawba. — Bunches large, sIiOl ^-d ; berries 

 large light red, becoming darker when fully ripe. 

 A very excellent grape, much more hardy than 

 the Isabella, requiring little or no protection at the 

 west, but ripening too late to succeed anywhere 

 except along the shores of the Detroit and 

 Niagara Rivers, Lake Erie, and a small part of 

 Lake Ontario ; this is the great wine grape of 

 Ohio and the Grape Islands. 



NBW VARIBTIBS NOT YBT SCFFICIKNTLY TBSTKD, 

 BDT WHICH PR0MI8B WBLL. 



Rogers Hybrid, No. 4. — This is a new grape, 

 which I have not yet proven ; but it is said by 

 those who can be depended on to be very fine. 

 Bunches and berries very large, resembling the 

 Black Hamburg, one of its parents. Quality 

 very good ; said to be as early and hardy as the 

 Delaware. If on further proof it is found equal 

 to the description, it will be very suitable for 

 general cultivation. Rogers, Nos. 15' and 19 

 are also said to be good. 



lona and Isarella. — These are new varieties 

 raised by Dr. Grant, of lona, New York, and 

 have been much prized on account of their ear- 

 liness and quality. The first is a dark purple 

 grape, the last a light red, and botli bid fair to 

 be acquisitions, more especially the last. 



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