jM Q 0 
Caywood (Poughkeepsie)—\\ r e had eleven 
weeks without rain, and vines suffered early 
iu the season. Had frost iti May, June, July 
and August. Walter had ripened some 
clusters. Rogers’ Hybrids and Catawbas 
rolled. 
Caywood—W e have never claimed the 
Walter to be more tender in flesh than 
Catawba. Firm flash is an advantage in a 
market grape. Soft fleshed grapes will not 
bear carriage well. 
President Potti.e— The Iona has a tough 
overbore last year are the worst. Isabellas 
poor; Delawares tolerable, considering the 
season. Had faith yet in the Catawba. 
IIoao (Lockport)—This is the poorest sea¬ 
son in fifteen years, Rain injured the set. of 
the fruit when in blossom. Foliage has suf- 
is short, it leaves a slight pink tinge at the 
end of the peduncle core ; flesh dark brown¬ 
ish purple, half firm, juicy, rich, sprightly 
vinous, sweet and without pulp or hard cen¬ 
ter; skin moderately thick; seeds medium 
size; greenish white. 
Ripens middle to last of September at 
Croton Point, on the Hudson, where only it 
has, so far, been fruited. 
NEW YORK STATE GRAPE FAIR, 
Tins Second Annual Exhibition of the 
State Grape Growers’ Association, held at 
Canandaigua, October 5th and Oth, though 
interesting and instructive, did not as fully 
represent till the grape growing localities as 
the one of last year. The fruit shown was 
remarkable for uniform and unusually large 
and perfect clusters, and in many instances 
wonderful size of individual grapes. The 
display was chiefly made up from the region 
of Canandaigua Lake, including the valley 
of Naples, extending from the head of the 
lake southward; the west shore and Vine' 
Valley on the east shore, reaching inland 
some miles, and having a southeast exposure, 
and a very warm and sheltered location. 
There were also Contributions from the im¬ 
mediate neighborhood of the village, a cred¬ 
itable display from Lockport, and some speci¬ 
mens from Seneca Lake. The Humeian and 
Walter were shown in quantities so small, 
and the condition of which indicated such 
long keeping, that spectators naturally con¬ 
cluded the fruit must he scarce, though the 
vines are said to have been in bearing many 
years, However, wo suppose the, wood of 
said varieties has been put to more profitable 
use than the hearing of fruit. 
There was a very noteworthy display of 
hot house grapes by Hon. E. G. LA.ni am of 
Canandaigua, which included the chief va¬ 
rieties grown under glass. The clusters 
were not overgrown, but well grown. 
Stephen Underhill of Croton Point, 
exhibited some seedlings, among which the 
“Croton,” a white variety, seems to be very 
promising. Tested with the Rebecca and 
Allen’s Hybrid, it bore off the honors of a 
first premium jus a white table grape. It 
possesses many excellences when brought to 
llie test of eating, and Hie clusters shown 
were large and well shaped, and the fruit of 
medium size. It is said to ripen with the 
earliest. 
Several prominent grape growing locali¬ 
ties m the State were not represented at the 
Fair—by fruit at least—and the general rea¬ 
son given therefor w:is,—“our fruit Is not 
ripe enough,” or “ we have nothing this 
year.” Ii was very noticeable that the llum- 
mondsport region did not enter the arena, 
either with grapes or wine. The popular 
explanation of this want of action was that 
Ilaminondsport apprehended defeat, in com¬ 
petition with the region of Canandaigua 
Lake. How justly the “ voice of the people ” 
indicated the exact truth in this case we are 
not prepared to say; but from any other 
point of view it was certainly singular that a 
community which indorsed and assisted in 
the formation of a State Association, should 
utterly ignore it the second year of its exist¬ 
ence. If the above reason for the omission 
be the true one, we beg our Hainmondsporl 
friends not to be so excessively modest in the 
future, YVe assure them they have reasona¬ 
ble ground for more confidence. 
The Fair was held in a commodious tent, 
and the fruit arranged in departments ac¬ 
cording to color. This arrangement made it 
impossible for individuals or localities to 
show to their own best advantage. Indi¬ 
viduality was lost. This, as the classifica¬ 
tion went, helped out the Committees, but it 
also cut down, by half, the interest, exhibitors 
felt in displaying their fruit. Would it not 
be better to foster this local and individual 
pride, and even offer valuable premiums for 
the best, individual and local collections? 
Considering I he bad reports concerning 
the grape crop in Ncw r York State this sea¬ 
son, the display was unexpectedly line. 
Good weather prevailed, and though the at- ( 
tendance was not large, the receipts covered | 
the expenses. The address was delivered . 
by Dr. John A. Waudku of Ohio, a synop¬ 
sis of which we may give hereafter, also the , 
gist of the discussions on Tuesday evening. , 
The premiums on the standard red and 1 
white grapes were chiefly gained by the ex- a 
hibitors from Naples - ami Vine Valley—the 
latter taking the larger share of the highest. 
In class 4, the Committee, in making the 
award lor the best table grapes, gave the ; 
first premium to the Iona, as the best red, , 
and the Croton best 
TRAINING BLACK-CAPS, 
lx an article which appeared in the Rural 
of Sept. 11, signed F. H. W., the practice of 
cutting back Black-Caps and Blackberries is 
assailed and condemned. The writer favors 
letting the canes grow five or six feet high, 
on the ground that a much larger yield of 
fruit may thus be realized. Perhaps the ad¬ 
vice in F. II. W.’s article is good for some 
localities. Doubtless it is. But would it do 
to follow it in every locality where berries 
may lie successfully raised ? Most assuredly 
not. In Jefferson Co., N. Y., a field of Black- 
Caps allowed to grow five or six feet high 
would produce but little fruit, 't here are 
two reasons why it. is absolutely necessary to 
cut back the young canes, and to cut them 
back early. First, unless the fields were bet¬ 
ter protected from the wind than ninety-nine 
out of a hundred arc, the canes would be 
broken down and whipped to death before 
they had reached tlieir full growth. I have 
seen fields badly injured before the young 
suckers were thirty inches high. Second, 
those canes which were not ruined by the 
wind would he killed by the frost, or at least 
that portion which the snow did not cover 
Bushes thirty to thirty-six inches high escape, 
in great part, the damage caused by the 
heavy fall winds, and are protected from the 
frost in winter by a heavy covering of snow. 
Again, in seel ions where artificial covering 
must he resorted to, how are hushes five or 
six feet high to be protected ? 
I have not written this to find fault with 
F. H. W.’s article, but to call attention to the 
fact that In fruit growing rules are not all 
umi'cmU. As a rule, when an article is 
written on the culture, of fruit of any kind, a 
careful discrimination should he made in lo¬ 
calities. A. W. Gilman. 
Rochester, N. Y. 
Sylvester Apple.—But for the press upon our 
columns we should have long ogoac knowledges 
the receipt of a box of this line fall apple from 
K. Waul Sylvester, Lyons, N. V. It is a fruit 
that has been some time known and is figured 
and described in Warder’s American Pomo¬ 
logy. It deserves to be better known as a des¬ 
sert fruit. It lsu bountiful apple,below medium 
size, with white skin and carmine cheek ; llesh 
white, tender, juicy, sprightly, sub-acbl tlavor. 
It will cook quick and Is plenty good enough io 
eat without cooking. It will not stand rough 
usage nor long earring©, but will, wo are sure, be 
popular wherever known. Dr. Sylvester says 
the tree is hardy and a regular bearer. 
I To Mnke Pears Smooth. — H. E. Hudson tells 
us of certain pear trees which produce good 
though rough and spotted pears, and asks it - we 
can tail him what will give his pears a smooth 
surface; and if the application of lime to the 
roots of the trees will do it. It is very doubtful 
if we could prescribe effectively ; but we certain¬ 
ly could not do so without knowing something 
of the character and condition or the soil, the 
kind of crops which have been cultivated upon 
it, elevuiion, exposure, etc. Let those who want 
information of the kind asked, remember that 
details are as important in such case as that a 
physician should know the habits and symptoms 
of his patient. 
-w*- 
Crapes for Middle Georgia. — D. A. 8ali.EC, 
Woodbury, Ga., wants to know “some of the 
grapes most suitable for that climate, and some 
retiuble parties whom to get them from.” We 
remember that at the recent meeting of the 
American Poinoiogieal Society, at Philadelphia, 
the Southern members present commended the 
Concord, Norton’s Virginia, and Seuppornong 
These grapes, with the exception of the Scup¬ 
per noxig, perhaps, can be obtained of any nurs¬ 
eryman advertising in the Rural. P. J. Berck- 
mans, Augusta, Ga., commended the last named 
grape, and cau doubtless supply it to customers. 
skin and will bear carriage well. 
Merrill —The quality of the skin has 
more to do with good carriage than llie pulp. 
Babcock (Lockport)—Had fruited the Sa¬ 
lem this year and thought it promised well 
for market. 
Farley —No. 4 is the most valuable of 
Rogers’ Hybrids. 
Larrowe —This is the first season of fail¬ 
ure with Catawbas around Crooked Lake. 
Was not disposed to lose faith iu them. 
President Potti.e referred to the display 
in llie lent for proof that the region of Canan¬ 
daigua Luke could produce fine Isabellas. 
Dr. Warder —There is no safety in plant¬ 
ing Catawbas. There is evidence in the 
vineyards along the Lake Shore of same 
malady which blighted those on the Ohio. 
The dried, crisp leaves we see on the vine 
are llie effect of mildew. It is the approach 
of the disease that swept the vineyards 
around Cincinnati. Many years ago this 
disease began in Georgia, and it seems to 
sweep in a circle northward. For four years 
they had had no crop at Cincinnati, but in 
Georgia, where it began for two years, it has 
ceased. He hoped it would have its period, 
and the vines would again become fruitful. 
Thought pulp in a grape depended on its de¬ 
gree of ripeness. Spoke well of Ives’ Seed¬ 
ling as a peculiar wine grape, but it must be 
well ripened to go 80° on the scale. 
The talk was here diverted to the quali¬ 
ties of respective varieties. 
Younglovk (Vine Valley) — Said the 
Groveling was, next to the Rebecca, the best 
table grape, but not profitable; it was a 
poor bearer. 
President Pottle —The Creveling is high 
flavored, but the cluster is so poor. Had 
tried planting between other varieties, in 
order to fertilize the blossoms, but it, made 
little difference, had never succeeded in 
growing more than half clusters. 
Caywood —Had seen tine clusters of Gro¬ 
ve) ings grown between Rebecca and Con¬ 
cord, at Penn Van. 
Dr. Warder —Is there a deficiency in the 
flowers of the Creveling? Had seen it 
planted by a Concord and the fruit failed. 
Seeley —Had grown n Creveling beside an 
Israella and the cluster was not improved. 
Younglove —Had grown Crevelings be¬ 
tween Delawares and Concords but the 
clusters were loose. 
Reed (Canandaigua)—Grew compact dus¬ 
ters between Diana and Catawba. 
Larrowe—G rew Crevelings intermixed 
with other varieties, but have not seen perfect 
clusters. It is an unprofitable variety. 
Shaw (Canandaigua)—Had nearly an acre 
of Crevdings which succeeded well. Two- 
thirds of the vines would overbear. Some 
loose clusters, but the greater part compact 
enough. Vine always healthy. Some other 
varieties were mixed in. The fruit did not 
sell higher than Concord because the public 
were not acquainted with it. 
Hoag —Suggested that many varieties 
might not blossom with the Creveling and 
therefore could not fertilize it. 
Dr. Warder —Spoke well of Ives Seed¬ 
ling as a wine grape. 
Seeley —Said the Walter thus far had done 
well in Vine Valley. ’When fully ripe it has 
no pulp. 
Merrill (Geneva)—The Eumelan ripens 
with me, with the Hartford Prolific. Has 
no pulp when ripe. 
Wells (Canandaigua)—The Eumelan has 
no pulp, but large seed. 
Eumelan Grape.— J. Smith HORTON, Coucil 
Bluffs, Iowa, writes, Sept. 30:—“ I am pleased to 
report of the Eumelan this year that it has 
made a most extraordinary growth, every teat 
being- in perfect health and the wood ripening 
equal to, if not better than, any other vines that 
1 have. J hod some mildew on vines in adjoin¬ 
ing rows, but none whatever on it. I set six 
bunches of grapes, but they were destroyed by u 
late frost," 
Keeping Grnnberrlett. Will some one inform 
me the best place to keep cranberries from the 
time they are picked until marketing? Some 
say keep them in the cellar to prevent from 
shrinking; Others think they should be kept 
high and dry to prevent from rotting.—A Suu- 
SCuiBER, Easton, Hrtxtol Co., Muss. 
Without experience, we should keep them in 
the dryest and coolest place possible. Let those 
having experience reply. 
Eumelan best lilac!- 
white. The first premiums for wine grapes 
were given to the Iona red, Clinton block, 
Rebecca white. Ln the line of implements 
the first award was made to Fairchild 
Brothers, Ilammondsport, for the best 
square wooden box for marketing grapes; to 
P. Fessenden & Co., Naples, best round 
wooden box, and P. S. Vandenbero, Can¬ 
andaigua, best paper box. Dr. Warder, 
exhibited the Twitofiell Acidometer, a 
very convenient and scientific instrument 
for ascertaining the quantity of acid in wine. 
The Discussions. 
President Pottle of Naples, presided, and 
gave direction to the proceedings by calling 
lor reports from different localities. 
Larrowe, (Ilammondsport,)reported mil¬ 
dew and rot on the Catawbas. Vines that 
THE SENASQUA GRAPE 
This grape originated with Stephen 
Underhill of Croton Point, N. Y. Growth 
of vine very vigorous, fully equal to Con¬ 
cord ; leaf large, thick, downy underneath, 
rich deep green above, heart-shaped, with 
very slight lobes. 
Bunch very large, with an apparent slight 
shoulder, but more truly a small off-shoot 
bunch ; very compact, and irregular or un¬ 
even. 
Berries irregular in size, from small to 
large, round; deep black, with a beautiful 
light blue bloom; when fully ripe and 
freshly separated from the peduncle, which 
A Swaar Apple Tree in Blossom. — I have in 
my orchard a Swaar apple tree in blossom. It is 
about twelve years olU; has borne no fruit this 
season. How can It. be explained ?—F. B. YV - ., 
Jonesi'iUe, N. Y., Sep. 27. 
Etruge Nectarine. — S. S. Rhodes. You can 
procure trees of this variety of any first-class 
nurseryman advertising- in the Rural. We 
have several catalogues before us which embrace 
this nectarine iu the Btook for sale. 
Muck for Straw berries.— J. R. S., St. Joseph, 
Mich.—You cau safely apply your muck direct 
to the soil this fail, we think. We should not 
hesitate to do so; or draw it out in heaps, add 
ashes, and apply in spring. 
J&f 
qk Wa 
VI 
7 
