le^timonial^ fi®om \\ie eDpe?<^. 
We jfive below a few extracts from the many articles which have 
at different times appeared in the public press, written by disinter- 
ested parties, which tend to show the estimation placed upon the 
Diamond by those who know it most thoroughly. 
[From Vick’s Monthly, October, 18S7.] 
“The Diamond was very little, if any, later than Delaware, and 
may be said to ripen with it. The merits of this variety are not 
yet well known. It is white or light colored, becoming whitish 
rather than yellow at maturity, at which time it is translucent, with 
a white bloom. Tlie bunches are large, probably equaling Pock- 
lington in this respect, often shouldered, and sometimes double 
shouldered ; berries large, averaging larger than those of the Niag- 
ara ; skin thin but tough ; berries hanging well to the peduncle 
even when very ripe ; flesh melting aud juicy, sweet to the center, 
and the foxiness peculiar to all our native varieties is in the Dia- 
mond almost entirely eliminated. It comes nearer to the quality we 
demand in a first-class exotic grape than any other native variety 
with which we are acquainted. The Diamond equals and even sur- 
pa.s.ses the Niagara and the Pocklington in appearance, while in 
quality they fall so far below it as to be unworthy of comparison. 
The vine is a strong grower with healthy foliage, and a very abun- 
dant bearer. The Diamond must assuredly come to the front as the 
first among the white varieties of our native grapes.” 
9 
