1880.] 
AM U Li EGAN AGRIOULT URIST. 
191 
recognized the fact that while Nature had given us 
several very distinct species of wild grape, they had 
been working, with remarkably few exceptions, up¬ 
on the varieties of one species and hybrids from 
them. The Isabella and Catawba, the Iona and 
Walter, the Concord and Ives, and a long list of 
others that have had their season of popularity, 
were all derived from one and the same wild species, 
and consequently partook, more or. less, of the 
peculiarities of that, whether those were desirable 
or otherwise. The general recognition of the fact, 
and working upon the knowledge that there were, 
at least, three other species of native grapes, the va¬ 
rieties of which might be valuable, was the next 
forward step in grape-culture. The varieties we 
have referred to are derived from the common Fox 
Grape of the Atlantic slope—the Vitis Labrusca of 
botanists. Besides this there are Vitis aestivalis, the 
Summer Grape, Vitis cordifolia (sometimes called 
rvparia, for reasons we need not give here,) the Frost 
Grape, and V vulpina, the Southern Fox, or Bul- 
lace. This last is restricted to the far Southern States 
and need not be considered,but the other two species 
have proved mines of horticultural wealth, which 
have amply repaid the thorough working they have 
received in the past few years. We would not be 
understood to say that varieties of these species 
» were not previously known in cultivation, as every 
one familiar with grapes knows better ; but, that it 
is only recently that an earnest effort has been made 
to seek out new varieties of these, and to improve 
them by the production of new seedlings. We have 
turned out of the old ruts and are running in new 
tracks. Not only do the species mentioned differ 
in their fruit, but they are unlike all through, even 
to the texture of the wood and the ease with which 
they may be propagated from cuttings. As stated 
in another article, the grape-louse—Phylloxera—is 
not destructive to all grapes alike, there being cer¬ 
tain varieties that are so little affected by the 
scourge that they are practically Phylloxera-proof. 
Upon this fact, it is not too much to say, rests the 
future of grape-culture in this country, and the 
search for varieties which, while they resist the 
Phylloxera, shall be equal to the older kinds in the 
quality of their fruit, has led to the great recent 
improvements in grape-culture to which we have 
referred. We had varieties before of which the 
fruit was good enough, well nigh perfect, but we 
oouldn’t get it, no matter how many vines we 
had; there was “mildew of the leaf,” there was 
“ rot of the berry,” and there 
was “ the vine didn’t do 
well with me ”—another name 
for Phylloxera, that stood 
between us and the fruit we 
knew to he so excellent. It 
is largely due to the devoted 
grape-growers of Missouri, and 
to Mr. Ricketts, of Newburgh, 
N. Y., who has been at work 
in the same direction, that 
we now have several, with 
the promise in the near future 
of several more, varieties of 
grapes, the fruit of which is of 
excellent quality—and, what is 
more to the purpose, the vines 
are thus far, without the draw¬ 
backs that have made grape¬ 
growing too often little else 
than a series of disappoint¬ 
ments. While we anticipate 
gratifying results from the 
introduction of new varieties 
derived from the aestivalis and 
cordifolia species, the former 
being especially suited to the 
Southern States, we would not 
forget that great improvement 
has been made in those derivedjrom Labrusca. Be¬ 
cause other classes of grapes are coming to the 
front, it will be a long time before these will go to 
the rear, especially as table grapes. In this class 
we find some of our very best and our very worst 
as to quality, and there is no uniformity as regards 
their ability to resist mildew, Phylloxera, etc. 
Among the newer varieties especially noticeable 
A NEW WHITE GRAPE—PRENTISS. 
Husmann, of the State University of Missouri, has 
given us such a work,* and all who know anything 
of grapes and grape-culture will concede his ability 
to do so. This work, while it gives the author’s 
methods of growing and training the vine, which 
* American Grape-Growing and Wine-Making, by Prof. 
George Hnsmann. New York: The Orange Judd Com¬ 
pany, 245 Broadway. Price, sent by mail, prepaid, $1.50. 
productiveness is shown in the engraving, and is 
something wonderful. As we saw and handled the 
vine from which the photograph was taken, we 
know that no bunches were tied on for effect; in¬ 
deed, when we say that it was exhibited by Mr. T. 
8. Hubbard, of Fredonia, N. Y., the assurance is 
unnecessary. It was wonderful as a specimen of 
fruitfulness; but no vine should bear so much. 
are generally followed in Missouri, and shows how 
to convert the fruit into wine, is especially valuable 
for the information it gives on the newer grapes of 
all classes. We give two engravings from the book, 
showing two of the newer varie¬ 
ties, one of a peculiarly western 
type, the Elvira, and the other, 
the Prentiss, one of the recent 
eastern additions to the grape list. 
The Elvira belongs to the 
class of grapes derived from the 
species cordifolia, and is very inter¬ 
esting, as showing that a faulty, 
almost worthless variety, may pro¬ 
duce a seedling of great excellence. 
It was raised by Jacob Rommell, of 
Mo., and is a seedling of the Tay¬ 
lor. The parent is chiefly noticea¬ 
ble for a wonderful extent of vine, 
and a corresponding scarcity of 
fruit. The fruit is well enough, 
but the berries are but few in 
a cluster aud small. The Elvira— 
well, to hear our Missouri friends 
talk, brings back the days when the 
originators of the Iona, the Walter, 
set forth their merits, with this 
difference however : those grapes 
had no faults, while the Mis¬ 
souri people admit that the Elvira 
has just one ; The bunch is so com,, 
pact, that sometimes a rain com¬ 
ing after a drouth, causes the ber¬ 
ries to crack. It is a white grape 
of medium size and great beauty, 
and of excellent quality for both 
table and wine ; perfect hardiness, 
entire freedom from disease, great 
productiveness, and ease of prop¬ 
agation, are claimed for it. The 
shape of the bunch is given by the 
engraving, with which is a separate 
berry, to show the actual size. 
The Prentiss was raised by a gentleman of that 
name, in Western New York, and is from the Isa¬ 
bella. If bad qualities were always transmitted, 
this should have its share, but, on the contrary, the 
vine appears to be exceedingly healthy. This is 
also a white grape, of medium size in bunch and 
berry, of good quality, and a toughness of skin, 
that makes it a most excellent market fruit. Its 
are Brighton, Highland, Jefferson, Moore’s Early, 
and Storm King among dark grapes, while in 
whites we have Duchess, Poeklington, Niagara, 
Lady Washington, and Prentiss. Among new 
THE ELVIRA GRAPE. 
grapes should be included the wonderful collection 
raised by Mr. Ricketts, a few of which have been 
offered, but many choice treasures are yet in re¬ 
serve. Indeed, so many have been the additions 
to the list of grapes that a new work on grape-cul¬ 
ture was needed, if only to record and describe 
these, as they have all appeared since any of the 
standard books were published. Prof. George 
