such grapes as Mr. Ricketts places upon the exhibition tables, would command prices that would render this extra care of no account, in comparison.

A limited number of these gapes are now offered for sale to those who care to experiment with them. Mr. Ricketts claims that his later productions are crosses between hardy natives, leaving out the foreign element. I took notes of the following as most promising in appearance, among those exhibited at Rochester in September.

No. 1, B, Clinton.-Claimed to be from Clinton, crossed with Hartford. A beautiful white grape, with large long clusters, of extra flavor and quality. A remarkable variety; especially so, if its parentage is correctly stated.

No. 1, C.-Another white variety from the same cross as above, medium large bunch and berry; quite compact, very bandsome, delicate yellow in color, and of fine flavor. Bacchus. A black grape, about the size and color of the Clinton, from which it is said to be a seedling, but much more delicate, and of purer flavor. Regarded as specially promising as a red wine grape.

Bacchus Seedling, No. 413.-Much resembles its parent in appearance and flavor. Both these grapes are fine flavored and sprightly, and would be of some value as table grapes, thongh specially recommended for wine making.

Jefferson.-A red grape, resembling the Iona both in appearance and flavor; said to be a seedling cross from Iona and Concord. I thought it in quality much like Iona, and fully equal to it in flavor. It is to be offered for sale next season, and is claimed to be healthy, hardy, and productive, and is certainly a fine variety, worthy of attention.

Planet.--A hybrid cross from Concord and Black Muscat of Alexandria. A large black grape, with very large bunches. Of very fine flavor, resembling the best foreign va. rieties.

Lady Washington.-From Concord and Allen's Hybrid. Offered by Mr. Ricketts last season. A Barge and very handsome grape, of really good quality, ripening about with Concord. So far as I have tested it, the growth and foliage of the vine is good, and it appears to me worthy of extensive trial.

The Highland is another of Mr. Ricketts' most promising hybrid grapes, and is now offered for sale. It is a very large black grape, of splendid appearance and superior quality. It is a seedling from Concord, hybridized with Jura Muscat; makes a strong, healthy growth, and so far as tested, has proven very satisfactory. It will doubtless prove as reliable as other hybrid grapes, and is well worthy of trial by all interested in the improvement of grapes.

El Dorado is still another recent introduction of these interesting grapes; of the same parentage as Lady Washington, a white grape of remarkable quality and very early ripening, and said to make a stronger growth than Concord. Foliage and habit of growth good, so far as tested.

Some new native seedlings also attracted much attention, and as they are hereafter to be offered to the public as desirable and valuable acquisitions, I will give brief descriptions of their character as they impressed me on exhibition.

The Niagara is a large and handsome white grape, grown at Lockport, New York; vine claimed to be everything that is desirable in the way of vigor, health, and hardiness; the clusters were compact and handsome, as large as well-grown Concords. The flavor purer and somewhat better than Concord, though somewhat of its character. Branches of the vine with fruit and foliage indicated productiveness, hardiness, and health, so far as then could be judged by examination. This grape is in the hands of a stock company, who expect to make a "big thing" by its sale, when a sufficient number of vines have been propagated to meet the expected demand. It is claimed to be a

native seedling cross between Concord and Cassady, the latter a small and inferior white grape, both hard and hardy, but of no special value. It may have imparted its color to the Niagara, and also greater firmness and tenacity, rendering it a better keeper, and better adapted for shipping than the Concord. If all that is claimed for this grape by reputable men is true, it will prove a worthy and valuable acquisition.

The Pocklington, named from its originator, and claimed to be another Concord seedling, was the largest in bunch and berry, and the most showy of all the white native grapes on exhibition. It was surmised that this extraordinary size was produced by the artificial means of "ringing;" but I do not know that there was any evidence of it, beyond the appearance of the grape itself, which certainly seemed of abnormal size and fine appearance. The foliage closely resembles Concord, and it is therefore probably healthy and hardy. I did not test its flavor or quality, as the specimens were said to be unripe. It is, however, generally understood to be of second quality, not better than Concord; but if it produces grapes like the samples exhibited, it will have great popuiarity as a handsome and showy white grape for market purposes.

The Noah is another white grape of entirely different character from the above, but apparently very promising. It originated in Illinois, and is thought to be a seedling of the Taylor or Elvira, but is a very great improvement upon either of those sorts. Samples of this grape were exhibited at the Ohio State Fair, and also at the Rochester, and attracted much attention by their good quality and fine appearance. Large, long, and handsome clusters, not too compact, like Elvira, and of much purer flavor, and with entire freedom from foxiness, it seemed to me one of the most promising new varities of the season. In hardiness and habit of growth it closely resembles the Elvira.

The Prentiss, a white grape, that in general appearance, flavor, and quality, resembles the Rebecca, was exhibited at Rochester in great quantity and in good condition. This grape has been grown quite successfully for several years in a single locality (Pultney, N. Y.) by Mr. Prentiss, who claims to be its originator. It has the appearance of being a very productive variety, and is claimed to be an improvement upon the Rebecca in this respect, as well as in health of foliage. But it is so nearly identical in appearance with that old variety that, its superior merit and value will rest solely upon the claim of its better habit of growth, and of the health and productiveness of the vine.

The Duchess, still another white variety of remarkable beauty and fine quality, was exhibited at Rochester. It is also claimed to be a Concord seedling crossed with Walter, but I see no indications of Concord in its foliage. It is a strong grower, with handsome foliage; healthy, so far as I have tested it; but having rather a “by brid” appearance. It is, however, recommended as both healthy and hardy, enduring 24° below zero uninjured. It is certainly a grape of superior quality; and if it succeeds as well, generally, as it has in several localities in New York, where it has fruited for ten years or more, it will be found one of the best grapes yet introduced.

While speaking of new grapes, I will mention one of my own seedlings, which I never regarded as of special value, because of its lateness in ripening, but I sent it south, where it was named Triumph. In a report upon grapes, from Texas, I find the following: "The Triumph seems to be fully at home here, being vigorous, immensely productive of the largest and finest of bunches, some of which weighed one and a half pounds each. In quality is equal to the best of foreign grapes."

Another seedling grape of my own production, which I have had under trial for several years, and which I have named Purity, may prove of value for general cultiva tion, as it is a good grower, with healthy foliage, ripens early, and is very productive.

I find no fault in it, except the small size of the cluster. In quality I think it superior to any native grape I have ever grown, even surpassing the Delaware in pure and high flavor. It is a much stronger grower than the Delaware, with larger and healthier foliage, the original vine never having shown any mildew in the past ten years It is a white grape, with berries larger than Delaware, clusters about the same size, or a little smaller, in form, often shouldered slightly, but never unduly crowded on the bunch. If it bore a large cluster I should regard it as one of the most promising grapes in America. I have received, the past season, specimens of very interesting seedling grapes from Illinois, and also from Iowa; some white and some red seedlings, and crosses of Delaware and Concord. I shall carefully test their value, and report hereafter. I feel warranted in expressing the greatest confidence that among the many new grapes that are appearing, real and valuable improvement is indicated; and I have no doubt that many of the older and less desirable kinds will give place to new varieties of merit ; and the outlook for future and permanent success in grape growing seems to me more favor. able than for many years. With increased experience, and a judicious selection of varieties suited to the location where they are to be grown, intelligent and careful cultivation will, I believe, be followed by general success.

The Brighton is a grape of fine quality, of vigorous growth, reasonably healthy in foliage, but not quite hardy in severe winters. It is a partial hybrid, produced by crossing the Diana Hamburgh upon the Concord, and is one of a class of grapes containing only one-fourth of the foreign element; and which will probably be found valuable and very useful in good localities for grape growing, and where the climate is not too The Brighton has attained considerable reputation as a popular grape, and it is hoped will prove permanently useful. It is mentioned elsewhere in this report.

severe.

NEW GRAPES ON EXHIBITION AT THE ROCHESTER POMOLOGICAL MEETING. BY M. B. BATEHAM.

The most remarkable feature of the recent extensive fruit show at Rochester was the large number of fine looking and excellent new varieties of grapes. No formal report or full list of these has been published, and it was unfortunate that members of the regular committee on new fruits were also appointed on the general Awarding Committee, when the duties of both committees were quite arduous, and the members were also requested to be present, if possible, at all the meetings for discussion. The consequence was, the examination of new fruits by the committee was quite too hastily performed, and the report when published by the Society will not be as full and critical as the exhibiters and the public desire. Mr. J. P. Berckmans, of Georgia, was chairman of the committee, and at his request was allowed to take his notes home, for the lack of tíme to make a report during the meeting.

Of New White Grapes there were five or six exhibited, of great beauty and excellence, several of them having been fruited and exhibited in former years, and others now for the first time. The demand that exists for good, hardy, white grapes, and the high price for sach fruits in the markets, give special interest to these varieties, in the minds of the grape growers. I will, therefore, give my own impressions of their merits, severally, from what I saw and learned of them on this occasion, and previously where they had come under my observation, wishing it distinctly understood that I have no sort of interest in the propagation or sale of the vines of any :

Niagara is the name of a beautiful white grape, originated by C. L. Hoag, of Lockport, N. Y., and the propagation and sale of which is now managed by the Niagara Grape

Company at that place. It is said to be a seedling of Concord crossed with Cassady. The latter is a hardy white grape, of which I have fruited half a dozen vines the past six-years, but they have never paid for the space they occupy. They look and act much like Iona, and the less of this blood there is in the Niagara the better, in my opini u. This vine is said to have fruited at Lockport for the past seven years, without showing any tendency to mildew or rot, and is as hardy and nearly as vigorous as the Concord, with a leaf much like Hartford Prolific. The clusters are of good size and form, and the berries nearly as large as Concord, with a better flavor; not of high quality, but superior to Martha or any other white grape at present much grown. It has not yet been tested in different localities, and vines of it are not yet offered for sale. The parties who have it in hand are enterprising and honorable men, and will furnish vines to the public in

due time.

Pocklington is the ugly name given to a very handsome white grape, by its originator of the same cognomen, living at Sandy Hill, N. Y. This grape was noticed by me in the Farmer, some months since, and vines of it have been propagated and sold by a Rochester nurseryman, John Charlton, who had an agent or two in Ohio the past summer. I have seen this fruit en exhibition two seasons before the present one. On both these occasions the fruit was riper and of finer quality than at this meeting. The clusters and berries average quite as large as the Concord, and the quality of the fruit full as good, while its fine appearance, with yellowish white color, will be sure to make it popular in the markets. The bunches exhibited at Rochester, this season, were not grown by the originator, and were said to have had a cold and shady location. They had the appearance of being grown on a rung vine, causing the fruit to atrain extra size at the expense of ripeness and quality. The vine is said to be a pure CoL cord seedling, and full as vigorous and healthy as its parent. The leaves which we have seen confirm this report. I have a vine of it, planted last spring, doing finely. I have much faith in this as a market grape, but want something of higher quality for home use. The question as to healthiness of vine will be settled in a few years, as it is growing in a number of locations.

Duchess is another white seedling of Concord, said to have been improved by several successive generations. It originated with Mr. A. J. Caywood, of Marlborough, N. Y., and has been fruited for ten years past on his grounds, and for several years in a number of different States, generally with perfect success. The clusters and berries are of good size and fine appearance, as well as of fine quality-the flavor and texture more like Allen's Hybrid than either of the preceding, and hence suggesting danger of the vines mildewing like that variety, in unfavorable seasons and localities. If the vine proves sufficiently exempt from disease, this is really a very desirable grape. A little more time will tell the story about it; in the meantime all who can afford it, and love to test novelties, will do well to try it.

Lady Washington is the finest white grape of Mr. Rickett's remarkable collection of new seedlings. It has been more or less known to the public for the past five years, and admired by all who have seen and tasted it. It is said to be a seedling of Concord crossed with Allen's Hybrid-the latter parent giving excellence of quality, and at the same time exciting apprehensions as to the ability of the vine to withstand mildew; though it is said to be a very healthy and vigorous grower, in quite a variety of locations. The color of the fruit is light yellow, faintly tinged with pink, when ripe; the clusters quite large, and in appearance more like foreign grapes than any of our American varieties. The quality is also finer than most of us expect to secure from native vines that will re

sist the attacks of disease. If the Lady Washington proves able to do this, we can hardly ask for anything better in the line of white grapes.

Prentiss.-This is counted among the new white grapes, though it has been fruited for the past fifteen years at Paltney, N. Y., where it originated, and where about an acre of the vines are in bearing very successfully. Mr. T. S. Hubbard, of Fredonia, N. Y, has the propagation and sale of the vines. I think it is regarded as a pure American seedling, though of unknown parentage. The banch is of medium size and very compact, in this respect as well as in size and quality of berry much resembling well-grown Rebecca; but the vine is said to be more vigorous and productive than that variety, as it needs to be, in order to become popular or profitable.

Brighton.—I count this among the new grapes, because it is not yet generally known outside of Western New York, though it has been fruited for a year or two past in Ohio and various other States, and is generally regarded with favor. It made a splendid show at Rochester, especially on the large bearing vines of H. E. Hooker, who has been its chief propagator. In fact I have never seen vines of any sort bearing fiuer crops of grapes-the clusters were magnificent in size, color, and quality, and both foliage and fruit entirely free from disease. The vines were mostly ten or twelve years old, trained on wire trellis, each occupying twenty to thirty feet in length, and very nicely pruned on the spur and renewal system. These vines were inspected and admired by a host of visitors during the days of the meeting; and the testimony of all was, that the Brighton grape has not been over-praised, at least for localities that suit it. This grape originated near Rochester, from seed of the Concord crossed with Diana-Hamburg-thus having only one-fourth foreign blood, as is claimed. The bunch and berry are quite large; color nearly like Catawba; skin thin, not liable to crack; flesh tender, nearly free from pulp; juice rich, sweet, and of pure though not high flavor. It ripens early and holds on the vines well, making it an excellent market variety. The vine is quite hardy, and very productive, so that the fruit needs to be thinned; foliage as nearly exempt from mildew as the Wilder, Salem, and others of that class. A vine of it in my vineyard, three years planted, bore several clusters the past season; the leaves showing some mildew, which they might not have done if old varieties apt to mildew had not stood near by. I shall plant a few vines of it in a better location.

Rochester.—This is a seedling of Ellwanger & Barry's-the best of a very large number grown and fruited by them about ten years since. It is similar in color and character to the Brighton, but purely American. The vine is vigorous, hardy, and immensely productive needing to be thinned, like the Delaware, to secure health of vine and quality of fruit. I visited the largest bearing vines on the grounds of Ellwanger & Barry, and found the crop entirely too great, consequently a little mildew on the foliage, and the quality of fruit inferior to that on a younger vine. I planted a vine of it, six or seven years ago, and by letting it over-bear, nearly killed it; so that I cannot say how perfectly it will resist mildew. It has been quite free from disease, at Rochester, excepting the case just mentioned. The fruit is of purplish color-darker than Brighton and Catawba; berries medium size, flavor sweet and rich; very good for home use and market. Ripens early.

Monroe. Another of Ellwanger & Barry's seedlings, sister of the Rochester; a little more of the Concord order; bunch medium, berries large, black with a whitish bloom; flesh tender, sweet, and good, not high flavor; vine vigorous and hardy, never known to mildew; time of ripening quite early. It is believed to be a good wine grape, as well as an early market variety.