The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-05-19
AGRICULTURAL
THE CONCORD GRAPE.

Long ago, impressed with the opinion
that our native grape was capable oil being
greatly ameliora,ed aud improved, through
the seeds, Mr.. L. w. Bull turned his aiieu-
ton TO their production, and now has grow
ing more than 1000 seeding plants, from
some OF which he hopes even To beat him.
self. Il will take long time 10 prove them
all, but the result cannot be otherwise than
important; for the natural habit Of The vine
ouce changed or broken, variation takes
place in such manner that no opinion can
be formed OF the product. His success IN
raising the Concord Grape is The best proof
OF this.
Mr.. Bull has given brief history OF this
new grape, and it will be noticed tina, he
calls il a seeding from our native grape oi
the second generation. Ii is this; some
wears ago he found a small Seeding grow
Ing upon his ground near a wall there
are no wild grapes in the near vicinity; he
placed il in his garden, where he planted
!, with some care, and gave IL good culiva-
ton. In year or two il produced few
punches OF fruit, Iipening as early rs the
las, part Of August, and remarkably sweet
and free from the foxy flavor of the wild
type. The idea at once occurred 10 him
iha, another generation would be u still
greater improvement, and parcel oil seeds
were saved for planting, His an,icipa,ions
have been realized; The Concord Grape
was the produce Of these seeds. We an
mex Mr.. Bulls account Of the origin Of his
vine:
CONCORD, Mass, January, 1854.
"I send you the history Of the Concord
Grape, which you desired for your excel
lent Magazine. have by no means said
all that can be said for il, my desire being
TO have il come fully up TO the expectations
of those who may cultivate it, which have
no doubt il will.
believe have before stated 10 you ,ha,
my vine is growing on poor sandy loan
oyerlaying gravel, which has not been
trenched, and but slightly manured; add ic
this, the late spring and early autumn fros,s,
which we are liable 10 in this deep valley
of Concord, and the summer droughts which
are very severe with me, and think you
will conclude with me that j, will be likely
10 keep up its character under almost any
circumstances.
Aud here let me say ,ha. have cultivat.
ed the Isabella, aud many other kinds ol
grape, for fifteen years, without being able
10 ripen them in open culture, and II was
this consian, failure which led me about
Zen years since, 10 raise seedlings from ouT
native grapes, in that should obtain har'
dy grape Thai would give me a sure supply
for my table. In this have succeeded be
yond my expectations.
The Concord Grape is a Seeding, IN the
second generation, OF our native grape, and
frui,ed for the first time four years SINCE, be.
ing nj that time the only seeding l had
raised which showed decided improve
ment on the wild type.
Notwithstanding lis unfayorable position,
i, proved great grower and bearer, al, and
very cons,an; 10 lis quality ard season. The
Seeding from which the Concords We're
raised, grew near to Caiawba, aud 1t Is
quite possible was impregna,ed by 1t, II
having the flavor Of that variety. The par
ent vine was grape, large, black, and ripe
the Goth OF August.
The Concord Grape, as said before, is n
strong grower; the wood strong, the foliage
large, thick, strongly nerved, with wooly
undersurface, and has never mildewed or
rus,ed under any vicissitudes Of weather.
The grape is large, frequently an inch in
diameter, and the punches handsome shoul.
dered, and sometimes weigh pound. In
color II is ruddy black, covered with dense
blue bloom, the skin very thin, the juice
abundant, with sweet aromatic flavor, and
j, has very little pulp.