144 BALCH, ON NATIVE GRAPES. 



flavour is not present in the must but is developed during 

 fermentation and the after-preservation of the wine. 



It might appear that undue preference had been given 

 in these analyses to the " Rogers' Hybrids" ; this is sim- 

 ply owing to the fact that these grapes, arising from the 

 union of the wild grape ( Vitis labrusca) with the Black 

 Hamburgh, and retaining some features of both, are more 

 largely planted in this vicinity than other varieties, and 

 are consequently more plenty in their season. 



It has been asserted that these grapes are not true hy- 

 brids, but only seedlings of the " Mammoth Globe," and 

 contain no foreign blood whatever. Such a conclusion is 

 diametrically opposed to the horticultural experience of a 

 century. For it is a well known fact that out of a large 

 number, say five hundred chance seedlings of any fruit, 

 but one or two at most will excel their parent ; but these 

 remarkable " seedlings," some forty in number, have not 

 a bad grape among them, and are so far superior to the 

 " Mammoth Globe" as to preclude all comparison. Their 

 admixture of foreign blood is patent in the heavy clusters 

 of fruit, so far pulpless as to yield 75 — 80 per cent, of 

 juice, and the indigenous element recognizable in the 

 health, hardiness and habit of the vine. 



The chief value of analyses of grape-must lies in their 

 repetition and comparison. The product of various sea- 

 sons, climates and soils should be examined. If this is 

 done we shall soon arrive at the grapes suitable for wine in 

 different latitudes, and no doubt other important results. 

 Those parts of the country lying on an Isotherm of 70°-72° 

 for the growing months, June, July, August, and Septem- 

 ber, wherever the summer rains are not excessive, are best 

 adapted to wine growing ; for a mean temperature of at 

 least 65° for the above months is required for the ripening 

 of even the earliest and hardiest varieties of grapes. The 

 average temperature of Salem and vicinity, as deduced from 

 observations extending over 45 years, is about 66.5°, and 

 several degrees above this can be gained in well cultivated 

 and protected gardens. 



The above analyses are imperfect, several prominent 

 grapes having been omitted, but I hope to extend and im- 

 prove the collection at some future time. 



