TIE mUIRI GRiPE. 
ItTI aid <119. 
DID THE R. N.-Y. DECEIVE ITS 
READERS ? 
THE RURAL’S ESTIMATE OF THE 
NIAGARA IN 1871. 
THE ESTIMATE OF EXPERTS 
TO-DaY 
The Value of a Candid Rural Journal 
That Tests Novelties and Ren¬ 
ders Impartial Reports. 
Estimates from Pres. T. T. Lyon, Pres. P. 
J. Berckmans, P. M. Augur, J. J. Thomas, 
P. Barry, T. V. Munson, N. Olimer, 
Prof. J. L. Budd, W. D. Gunn, 
Sec y G. W. Campbell, Sec'y 
E. Williams, Mrs. Jack 
and Th addeus Smith. 
THE RURAL HEW-YORKER. 
FROM PRESIDENT T. T. LYON, OF MICHIGAN. 
I think the Niagara as a white grape, oc¬ 
cupies a somewhat higher position than does 
the Concord as a black grape. It is yet too 
soon, perhaps, to determine how far its popu¬ 
larity as a market grape will be affected by 
its color. Time should be allowed to dissi¬ 
pate the feeling of novelty before this can be 
determined. At present it commands more 
attention and better prices in the market than 
does the Concord, added to which is the fact 
that it is somewhat more productive. It is 
considered to lack slightly in hardiness of 
vine, but not to an important extent, save, 
perhaps, in unusually trying localities. The 
originator and introducers have been con¬ 
servative in their claims, so far as commenda¬ 
tions of the Niagara are concerned, and I 
think it must be conceded that their assurances 
in this respect have been pretty fully realized. 
I know of no variety that, to-day, promises 
better as a profitable market grape. Its 
strongest competitors, aside from the Con¬ 
cord, are Worden, Pocklington, and perhaps 
Brighton. How far the Empire State and 
Diamond will be able to compete for the 
leadership, in this respect, is a question for 
the future. 
T was in the fall of 1879 that 
a vine of the then unknown 
Niagara grape was sent to 
the Rural Grounds for trial 
—the only vine which the 
company cared to intrust 
to outside hands. Our earli¬ 
est estimate of this now 
famous grape is our esti¬ 
mate to-day, viz.: that its 
chief good points are size, 
showiness of bunch, vigor 
of vine. We pronounced 
it of no better quality than the Concord. The 
R. N.-Y. popularized the Niagara, it may 
truly be said, just as its impartial reports of 
all new small fruits have either killed or pop¬ 
ularized most of the varieties that have been 
introduced during the past 10 years. Ibis is 
as it should be. The labor, time and care re¬ 
quired to plant and observe novelties are quite 
beyond the editors of most farm papers. 
They are,therefore, constrained to make their 
reports from what others say. Below we give 
the estimate of many of our leading grape 
authorities and vineyardists. Our readers 
will draw their own conclusions as to the 
actual value of the Niagara as well as of the 
wisdom of the course the R. N-Y. has pursued 
regarding it. Our record is before our read¬ 
ers and we could not recall it if we would. 
Our illustration is engraved from a photo¬ 
graph of three bunches raised and present¬ 
ed to the R. N-Y. by Secretary E. Williams, 
of Montclair, New Jersey. 
FROM CONN. STATE POMOLOGIST P. M. AUGUR. 
Van Buren Co. 
FROM PRES. P. J. BERCKMANS, OF GEORGIA. 
The Niagara grape as regards size and ap¬ 
pearance of bunch may be classed among the 
profitable market varieties, providing it can 
be kept free from rot. If in sound condition it 
will bring double the price of Concord. The 
vine is hardy, a vigorous grower and quite 
free from disease. It does not in my opinion 
fulfill what was expected from it, owing to its 
general tendency to.rot, and its conduct dur¬ 
ing the past season was especially disastrous 
in that respect. Delaware is far more valuable 
for market. Even the Ives and Concord have 
paid better than the Niagara during the past 
season. 
Richmond Co. 
EROM J. J. THOMAS OF UNION SPRINGS, N. Y. 
The Niagara grape combines several good 
qualities, each moderate in itself. It is a 
strong grower, and a great bearer, has hand¬ 
some and attractive bunches, and, unlike 
the Concord, it bears long conveyance by rail¬ 
way. People differ as to its quality, some 
preferring what they term its “aroma,” while 
others dislike it for its “foxiness.” It would 
be just, however, I think, to place it as high 
in quality as the Concord. Its showy ap¬ 
pearance assists it well in selling in the 
market; and I observe that it commonly 
stands higher in the market reports than 
most of our common varieties. Like other 
grapes, it is liable to rot, and in some lo¬ 
calities it has been badly injured. At 
present, it is a good grape to plant for 
market, as it grows fast, and bears soon; but 
many large vineyards having been planted, 
the market in a few years may be over sup¬ 
plied. 
cord. In quality it is about the same as Con¬ 
cord except that the musky, “foxy,” Labrusca 
flavor is more intense,a serious objection in the 
estimation of lovers of pure-fl&vored grapes, 
especially of the Vinifera species. Yet numer¬ 
ous Americans love the “foxy” odor and flavor. 
I think it not superior to Concord in any way. 
The above qualifications renderthe Niagara 
as a white grape nearly an equal of the Con¬ 
cord as a black grape, and hence, where the 
Concord is very successful and profitable, the 
Niagara will likewise prove of about equal 
worth. As to fulfilling its originator’s pro¬ 
mises, I cannot say, as I have made no 
close comparison of the result with such pro¬ 
mises. In fact, I do not well remember what 
was promised exactly; but I can safely ven¬ 
ture the assertion that it has come as near 
to fulfilling what was claimed for it as any of 
the new varieties recently introduced. Owing 
to freedom from rot and to earliness 
the Delaware, Ives, Moore’s Early, Worden, 
and Cottage I think fully as profitable or 
more so. In regions where rot does not pre¬ 
vail, the Brighton will be more profitable, 
being a handsome red, early, of fine quality, 
and prolific. The Woodruff promises to do 
still better with less rot, and (if an origi¬ 
nator’s opinion is worth anything in this con¬ 
nection), I feel confident that I have pro¬ 
duced several varieties which will outrank 
those mentioned, and yet there is large room 
for improvement ahead before we can equal 
numerous Vinifera varieties in beauty and 
quality. Still I am confident that we have 
native material which will some day be 
brought to equally as high a standard of 
excellence. There is a new grape, Progress, 
(some think it a synonym of the Norfolk), 
which ripens about with the Cottage or 
Worden, and is of the same size in berry and 
cluster as the Catawba, and fully equal in 
quality, with less sour pulp, and not so sub¬ 
ject to rot so far with me. It is a clear, 
lively red, about as handsome as the Del¬ 
aware, and I believe it will take a very high 
rank when known. The vine is very vigorous, 
hardy and prolific. As a fine late white 
grape, the Triumph is without a rival in the 
South. 
Grayson Co. 
FROM SEC’Y N. OHMER, OF OHIO. 
I have not had the Niagara grape in bearing 
long enough to answer the Rural’s questions 
satisfactorily. I think well of the Niagara, 
however, and believe that it and the Concord 
make a good team. 
Montgomery Co. 
FROM PROF. J. L. BUDD, OF IOWA. 
FROM PRES. P. BARRY, ROCHESTER N. Y. 
I regard the Niagara as a valuable white 
grape—I consider that it ranks among white 
grapes about as Concord does among black. 
It is hardy, vigorous and productive and 
quite free from disease here. I think it sub¬ 
stantially fulfills the promises of its origina¬ 
tors. The Niagara for a time, while it was a 
novelty, commanded the highest mar¬ 
ket price; but the price has dropped 
pretty low and will go lower. Black and 
red grapes will hold the price better. For 
profit I would|rather plant here, in W. New 
York, Concord and Worden; but the Niagara 
is worthy of a place in all market plantations 
here. 
The foliage of the Niagara does not meet 
the requirements of our summer heat and 
great aridity of air at times. The Concord is 
all right with us on suitable soil and its fruit 
matures in our climate more perfectly than at 
the East. The Niagara wholly fails east of 
the Missouri divide and on the loess soils of 
the Missouri slope it only succeeds partially. 
Mr. Silas Wilson, of Atlantic, who has had it 
on trial longest, has no words of praise for it. 
West of Lake Michigan it has not fulfilled the 
claims made for it. Concord, Worden, 
Moore’s Early, Telegraph, Cottage, and Pock¬ 
lington are far more profitable on the prairie 
soils. 
Story Co. 
FROM W. D. GUNN, OF ULSTER CO. N. Y. 
Monroe Co. 
FROM ANNIE L. JACK, OF CANADA. 
The Niagara is one of the most beautiful of 
our white grapes. In quality it is about 
equal to Concord. It is hardly as reliable for 
a sure crop as the latter. When it makes a 
good yield I think it will bring a larger price 
per pound or ton. In respect to its hardi¬ 
ness, it is not equal to the Concord with me. 
It has been a very vigorous grower but has 
killed back somewhat. In this respect it is 
not equal to the Pocklington which has 
proved perfectly hardy. In some localities it 
fufills all that has been claimed for it. The 
reliable varieties are Delaware and Brighton 
for red, with a good promise for Ulster; 
Moore’s Early,Concord and Worden for black; 
and Hayes, Pocklington and Niagara for 
white, with some allowances for unfavorable 
seasons and localities. 
Middlesex Co. 
The Niagara is a profitable grape, but it is 
somewhat injured here by late and early 
frosts. It is more valuable than the Concord 
because it brings a better price per pound in 
our market while bearing fully as well. It is 
free from disease so far, but many of the 
vines die every winter in exposed places, and 
it needs protection. It fulfills the promises 
made in its behalf as to fruit-bearing; but this 
season it failed to ripen its fruit thoroughly. 
It has no recent competitor for market be¬ 
cause the public demand a big, showy grape; 
otherwise the Duchess would stand first for 
market as it does in quality and keeping 
properties, and it is also prolific even when the 
vines are young. 
Province of Quebec. 
FROM T. V. MUNSON, OF TEXAS. 
The Niagara has acquitted itself so well the 
past season, both in product and prices, as to 
enhance its value very materally in the opin¬ 
ion of growers hereabouts, and it is taking 
first place among the whites as a market 
grape. It is more valuable as a white grape 
than the Concord as a black. It is as good a 
bearer as the Concord, while it has brought 
prices far above those of that variety, and 
somewhat better than those of other white 
varieties. In this locality it has proved 
hardy and vigorous, when necessary care has 
beeA given. Heavy soils, with considerable 
admixture of clay, have been found better 
adapted to its growth and fruiting than 
sandy or gravelly loam, or even slaty soils. 
It has less rot than some and more than other 
varieties,—and is comparatively free from 
mildew. It has very nearly come up to the 
claims made in its behalf. Perhaps in drier 
seasons than the past, less favorable to the 
development of rotand mildew, it may entire¬ 
ly fulfill the promises of its originators. Ac¬ 
cording to the outcome of the past season, I 
know of no more valuable grape for market. 
FI DM SEC’Y GEO. AV. CAMPBELL, OF DELA¬ 
WARE, OHIO. 
My opinion of the Niagara grape is that 
the vine is vigorous and productive. The cl as¬ 
ters and berries of a white grape are very at- J 
tractive when not attacked by rot, which de¬ 
vastates it even worse than it does the Con 
I Lave seen no reason, with further observa¬ 
tion ; nd experience, to modify or materially 
change the opinion which I have heretofore 
expressed of the Niagara grape through the 
co 1 uinns of the Rural. As to whether it is 
Lore or less valuable as a white grape than 
t Concord as a black, I should say that for 
general use, it will be found less valuable. 
At the same time, for special localities which 
are well adapted to its culture, it may be 
foimd even more so. The reasons for this 
may be found in the answer to the questions 
about its hardiness, vigor, freedom from 
disease, etc. In hardiness, or ability to 
endure severe cold uninjured, it does not com¬ 
pare favorably with the Concord; for I have 
found the wood and fruit-buds of the Concord 
remaining unhurt under the same temperature 
and expr.sure during the winter, that injured 
the wo d and killed the fruit-buds upon the 
Niagara. I would not think it safe to plant the 
Niagara for profit without giving it winter 
protection, in any locality where the ther¬ 
mometer is liable to fall much, if any, below 
zero, during the coldest seasons. In vigor of 
growth, and also in productiveness, I regard 
it as fully equal, if not superior to the Con¬ 
cord, under favorable circumstances, and not 
more liable to rot in sections and seasons 
where that malady prevails. The Niagara is 
more subject to diseases of the foliage than 
the Concord; but not more so thau Brighton, 
Jefferson, and the best of Rogers’s Hybrids, or 
the Catawba. As to whether the Niagara ful¬ 
filled the promises made by its originators, I 
should say that in some respects it has; in others, 
I think it has not. The representations as to 
the vigor and productiveness of the vine ap¬ 
pear to have been fairly realized. But the 
statements that it was “as early as Hartford 
Prolific,” and that it would endure “85 degrees 
below zero” uninjured, Avere certainly not 
warranted. It seems rather slow in coming 
to perfect maturity, although it partially 
ripens and is often sent to market wi'lithe 
Concord, and those who have been accustomed 
to buy unripe Ives and Talman or Champion 
would, doubtless, call it good. I have, how¬ 
ever, found it from one to two weeks later 
tban the Concord in reaching its best condi¬ 
tion; but it is then, to my taste, much better 
than the Concord, and it loses nearly all of 
that foxiness which is so prominent if it is 
gathered earlier and before it is really ripe. 
In my experience the vines have invariably 
suffered injury when left exposed on the 
trellis during the winter, if the thermometer 
has fallen to 10 or 15 degrees below zero. 
Thirty degrees below zero in my locality 
would kill every Niagara vine to the ground. 
To mention what grapes are more valuable 
for market than the Niagara is more difficult, 
so much depends upon the situation and sur¬ 
roundings. For those places where grape 
growing is precarious, and where early-ripen- 
ing, hardiness of vine and health of foliage 
are necessary to success, Moore’s Early, Laay, 
Worden. Pocklington, Concord, and, perhaps, 
others of the pure Labrusca type would lie 
more valuable. But wherever the conditions 
of soil and climate requisite for growing the 
Niagai a to perfection can be found, or where 
the cultivator will give the necessary protec¬ 
tion, and employ the preventives against 
diseases of the foliage and fruit, which recent 
discoveries and experiments have demon¬ 
strated to be practicable, I believe the Niagara 
will b 9 found one of the most valuable 
and profitable market grapes yet introduced. 
The Empire State and the Pocklington are 
perhaps its most formidable rivals. In vigor 
of growth and hardiness in winter I have 
fouud little or no difference between the Em¬ 
pire State and the Niagara, though I thought 
at one time the Empire was the hardier vine. 
In health of foliage, the Niagara has always 
shown more mildew in unfavorable seasons. 
As to productiveness, the Niagara averages 
larger clusters, aud larger berries, and I think 
the vines will carry a larger weight of fruit. 
Their period of maturity with me, has been 
very nearly the same, both requiriug to hang 
longer upon the vines to attain their best 
flavor and highest character than is permitted 
by most growers. The quality of the Empire 
State is, to my taste, much superior to that of 
the Niagara,being entirely free from foxiness, 
and having something of the high and 
delicate flavor that pertains to the best for¬ 
eign varieties. The Pocklington seems to have 
hardiness and health of foliage quite equal to 
the Concord, with great productiveness also, 
and some tendency to over-bear. Its growth 
has not been as strong as that of the Concord 
or Niagara, and a judicious and early thin¬ 
ning of the fruit by cutting out the small or 
imperfect clusters would be very desirable, 
and would result in better grapes, handsomer 
clusters, aud better condition of the vines, 
The Niagara can usually be put into market 
a few days earlier than the Pocklington, 
though the latter ripens more rapidly, and 
arrives at its best condition. I think, quite 
as early as the Niagara. In quality there is 
not much to choose between the two; aud of 
those who have tasted both in comparison, 
in my presence, the majority have preferred 
the Pocklington. This, however, would not 
agree with my own taste, as the Niagara, 
when fully ripe, retains less of the foxy taste 
and odor. 
