CHAPTER XXV. 



THE GRAPE. 



The production of new varieties of grapes by means of 

 cross-fertilized and selected seeds is so easy that the number 

 thus annually introduced is hardly, if at all, inferior to the 

 new varieties of strawberries. While occasionally the merits 

 of a new grape, either in the high quality of the berry, its 

 ability to bear transportation, and its handsome appearance, 

 or the hardiness of the vine and its freedom from disease, 

 command for it a permanent place in our list of standards, still 

 the great majority have but a fleeting existence, and seem to 

 serve only to keep the Experiment Stations busy and to con- 

 fuse and annoy the nurserymen. It is manifestly impossible, 

 even if it were advisable, to include in the following list of 

 varieties anything like a complete catalogue of all the experi- 

 mental fruits which have been produced and more or less 

 fully described and praised. It is believed, nevertheless, 

 that all which have established a place in this country will be 

 found enumerated. 



It must be borne in mind that with grapes, even more than 

 some other fruits, the location in which they are grown has 

 a great influence, favorably or otherwise, upon all the char- 

 acteristics both of vine and berry. Varieties which are of 

 superlative merit in some places are almost valueless in 

 others, and vice versa. The safe rule in selecting and plant- 

 ing is to consult the State Experiment Station and growers. 



In the recent past one aim of propagators was to grow vari- 

 eties which by consecutive ripening would prolong the season. 

 Since the general adoption of the cold-storage systems, how- 

 ever, the question is now, which grapes of high quality are the 

 best keepers. Good, plump, handsome-looking fruit thus 

 kept over is to be purchased up to the first of April, and the 



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