GRAPES. 93 



medium ; an extra large berry ; not very productive ; ripens eight to 

 ten days before the Concord ; vine rather a slow grower, hardy and 

 healthy. 



Niagara — A very large, white, showy grape of fair quality, with 

 immense bunches ; large berry ; a productive, strong growing vine ; 

 ripens a few days before the Concord ; not hardy. 



Perkins — The poorest in quality of any grape I have named, 

 although I have had the best of success with it as a market grape, 

 selling my entire crop of 1889 at ten cents per pound, of this variety. 

 In 1888 I sold the product of one three-year-old vine for $2.50. 

 Bunch and berry medium; color pinkish red; a productive, strong 

 growing vine, hardy as the Concord on my grounds. 



There are many excellent varieties of grapes that I might speak of 

 both for the table and market. But as this paper is already longer 

 than I intended, I will conclude by saying, with experience, knowl- 

 edge, and pluck, I feel confident that in the near future this wonder- 

 ful rich and fertile south Platte country will be as celebrated for the 

 production of fine grapes as any part of the United States, not ex- 

 cepting California. 



DISCUSSION. 



Dtjnlap — Do you think the Coe as hardy as the Concord. 



Alexander — I do — hardier. 



Carpenter — I think the Brighton at head as a table grape. It is 

 a pretty even race between Brighton and Delaware, but the Brighton 

 is a little ahead. I always cover my vines in autumn for winter pro- 

 tection. 



Day — Do you cover your vines, Mr. Alexander ? 



Alexander — Yes, I cover all but Elvira, Coe, and Janesville. 



Carpenter — We overlook wintering grapes ; we can keep Goethe,. 

 Pocklington, Duchess, and Wilder till mid-winter and after. In New 

 York the grape growers make big profits by keeping Catawba, Isa- 

 bella, and Delaware into the winter and selling after other grapes are 

 off the market. The grape is neglected too much here and the fact 

 is we can raise the best grapes here of any region in the United 

 States ; nowhere is there so much sugar in the grape as here. In the 

 east there is too much rain, likewise in California, while in the irri- 

 gated regions they are too watery. 



