AMEBlOAN AGB1G ULTUBiST. 
961 
CLINTON GRAPE. 
GKAPES —REBECCA —DELAWARE, 
CLINTON. 
We present on this page engravings of clusters 
of Rebecca and Clinton grapes, which, with oth¬ 
ers, were referred to on page 158, (Aug. No.) 
We intended to have introduced a cluster of the 
Delaware, a more valuable grape than the Clin¬ 
ton, but could not get the cut in season. The Del¬ 
aware somewhat resembles the Clinton, here 
shown, but the fruit of the former is a little larger, 
and the cluster usually more shouldered. 
Our attention was especially called to this sub¬ 
ject, at this time, by the reception of some clus¬ 
ters of the Rebecca and Delaware, received Oct. 
1st, from Mr. Brocksbank, of Hudson, N. Y., who 
is the well-known propagator of the Rebecca. 
These samples have been in our possession for 
two W’eeks, and though standing upon the table 
in a warm room, they are still in excellent condi¬ 
tion. We have tasted them several times, and 
submitted them to good judges who have inci¬ 
dentally called, all of whom agree with us in pro¬ 
nouncing them of superior quality. 
The berries of the Rebecca, which are very ac¬ 
curately represented in our cut, are considerably 
larger than those of the Delaware, and to our in¬ 
dividual taste they are preferable. Their white 
color and sweet flavor are scarcely excelled by 
the finest foreign grapes. This grape has proved 
perfectly hardy, both at Hudson, N. Y., where it 
originated, and at other points still further north. 
Its early ripening, nearly two weeks before the 
Isabella, together with its hardiness, good keep¬ 
ing qualities, and superior flavor, render it a de¬ 
cided acquisition to our stock of native grapes. 
Since writing the above, we have looked into 
the new edition of Downing’s “ Fruit and Fruit 
trees of America,”—very high authority by the 
way—and find the following description of the 
Rebecca: “ Bunches nearly cyl- 
indric, about four inches long by 
two and a half inches in diameter, 
very compact and heavy, often 
shouldered. Berries of full medi¬ 
um size, oval, and generally 
much compressed, strongly ad¬ 
hering to the peduncle. Color 
light green in the shade, auburn 
or golden in the sun, and covered 
with a light bloom, considerably 
translucuent. Flesh of some con¬ 
sistence, juicy, sweet, and deli¬ 
cious, with a perceptible native 
perfume, but very agreeable. It 
has no toughness or acidity in its 
pulp, and ripens eight or ten days 
earlier than the Isabella, and keeps 
a long time after it is gathered. 
This superior white grape is un¬ 
doubtedly a native, a chance seed¬ 
ling in the garden of E. M. Peake, 
of Hudson, N. Y., where it has 
been growing about nine years, 
and proved perfectly hardy and 
productive. It is not so vigorous 
in habit as the Isabella and Ca¬ 
tawba, but healthy, and not dis¬ 
posed to mildew; and being ex¬ 
ceedingly beautiful, as well as ex¬ 
cellent, it must be regarded as a 
very great acquisition.” 
Referring to the Delaware, the 
same authority says: “ Its 
fruit bears a strong resem¬ 
blance to the Traminer, and 
the Red Resling, tw'o celebrated 
wine grapes of Germany, but from 
which, in wood and foliage, it is 
as distinct as any of our native 
grapes. It is free from blight and 
mildew, never prematurely losing 
its leaves, and seeming to luxurate. 
in our climate, which cannot be 
said of any foreign grape with 
which we are acquainted. Bunch 
small, very compact, and general¬ 
ly shouldered. Berries smallish, round when not 
compressed. Skin thin, of a beautiful light-red 
or flesh-color, very translucuent, passing to wine 
color by long keeping. It is without hardness or 
acidity in its pulp, exceedingly sweet but spright¬ 
ly, vinous and aromatic. It ripens eaily, or 
quite three weeks before the Isabella (1). Its 
branches and berries are very greatly increased 
in size by high culture.” The precise origin is 
uncertain. It was found in an indiscriminate 
mass of vines brought by a German to Delaware 
County, Ohio, for sale, and is said to have come 
from the garden of a French gentleman in Hun¬ 
terdon County, N. J. The origin of the grape is, 
however, now a matter of no importance; the 
quality is the thing sought after, and that is cer¬ 
tainly good. For further description of these and 
other new varieties of native grapes, see our arti¬ 
cle on page 158, above referred to. 
dr. Underhill’s Isabella grapes. 
While paying our respects to our new and 
promising acquaintances, Rebecca and Delaware, 
we must not forget our long time favorites, the 
Isabella and Catawba, and especially the tormer 
as grown by Dr. R. T. Underhill, of Croton Point 
Vineyards. We have just received our annual 
basket of these, and they seem to grow better and 
better every year. They are certainly larger in 
cluster and berry this year than previously, with 
no diminution of good quality that we can perceive. 
We wish the Doctor would tell us this year how 
many he sends to this city, for we can scarcely 
pass a fruit store, or corner fruit stand, without 
seeing monster baskets labelled, R. T. U., filled 
with such fruit as wmuld lead one to imagine ten- 
thousand spies had just returned from some newly 
discovered Canaan. 
THE “HOP TREE” AGAIN. 
In referring to the so called “ Hop Tree ” on 
page 232, last month, we gave as its probable 
name, Ostrya Virginica, or American Hop-Horn¬ 
beam. We have since received from H. C. Wil¬ 
liams, of Georgetown, Ct., a few of the seeds and 
leaves, and on examination of these we find it to 
be the Ptdea trifoliata, which is more of a shrub 
than a tree, as in its wild state it seldom grows 
above the hight of ten feet. It is a native of the 
Middle States, and flourishes well on almost all 
kinds of soil, even in a partial shade. It is a 
pretty ornamental tree. The seeds grow in thick 
clusters or panicles, and present a beautiful ap¬ 
pearance. We have tried a few and found them 
apparently*to- answer a similar purpose to com¬ 
mon hops in yeasting. We should doubt the prof 
itableness of growing this shrub or tree solely 
for its seeds or “ hops,” though these, if found 
useful may furnish an additional consideration 
for planting it as an ornament. 
.. ■ ■ ii ir aCTia——- 
Nobody can stand in awe of himself too much. 
