Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-08-14
NO. 30.
TIC UL URAL.
Varieties of Grapes -HOvey's Opinion on Sew
eral Sorts

. IN use or about being introduced fo
: the purpose of general cultivation
, The opinion of such men is alway
valuable, even where not wholly fret
, from the self interest of nurserymen
and in this case it may serve as a
guide to those disposed to plant a
few vines for home use the coming
Fall. Therefore we make syn
opsis of these opinions, one of which
is, that the fruit exhibition of 1861
contained more varieties of good
American grapes than were ever col
lected before, and that perseverance
cess.
The CONCORD, Mr.. Hovey thinks
the universal grape for the million,
after seven years trial, and will be
preferred to the Delaware. 1t ri
pens perfectly at Boston, and is har-
dy in winter when the Diana and Is
abella are killed, and it is free from
mildew, and gives a crop every
year.
The DELAWARE, after fighting it's
way for nearly ten years, is gained
in the estimation Of cultivators.-
| Delicious as the fruit is admitted to
be, and hardy as the vines are, the
berries lack size and appearance
1t is little too small, while its color
does not make that show that the
dark grapes do, with their rich
/ bloom. The vines, too, want vigor
and robustness. Young vines do
not take hold of the ground readily;
the foliage mildews slightly, and the
slender wood does not cover the
trellis quick enough. But, to make
up for these defects, it is hardy,
productive, bears young, and is as
early as the Concord. In its cul-
ture it needs generous treatment, a
good soil, and plenty of manure
This season it has been unusually
fine.
The DIANA is undoubtedly a very
| fine grape: we have little to add and
nothing to retract from the first de-
scription ever given Of it in our
magazine for 1874, (vol. X. p. 242.)
Time, however, has revealed defects
not then known. 1t is not as hardy
as is desirable, for if left uncovered
severly cold winter will destroy
thecanes. 1t sometimes mildews, and
the berries will ripen unevenly,
some being quite green when others
are mature. But when the vines
are protected, and the locality and
season favorable, it proves a most
| excellent grape, ripening usually be-
fore frost, and producing good sized
compact, and handsome punches of
delicious quality. A warm, gener-
GUS soil, and winter protection, are
the requisites of a good crop.
The REBECCA, is rather small; RI
pens early as the Diana; the berries
rich, amber-colored, fine aroma; quail
ity, when well ripened, superior;
growth, slender, and needs winter
protection.
ALIENS HUBRID ranks among the
few American grapes worthy cf cul-
tivation. 1t has the excellency of
the Chasselas, with the earliness of
the Concord, and hardness of the
Delaware. Berries good size; color, a
mellow amber; vines vigorous, and
do not mildew ersily.
The PERKINS grape, though but
little disseminated, is gaining many
friends. 1t has hardness and good
qualities to commend it, as well as
vigorous growth and freedom from
mildew. The clusters are not large,
but the berries are larger than the
Diana, which it very much resembles
= To- Of Of
It is early and trustworthy in all
seasons, and is, we think, destined
to become very popular. Winters
we'll; fruit ripens earlier when vines
are winter protected.
The UNION VILLAGE is large, hand
some, good. but too late for New
England. Bunches and berries,
large, vines, strong growers, and
with winter protection is valuable.
The HARTFORD PROLIFIC natures
earlier than the Concord; punches
and berries large, but liable to drop;
fruit, good; vines hardy and free
growers; not inclined to mildew; is
a desirable variety because the earli- |
est, and because like the Concord, !
vines grow though neglected.
ROGERS Seeding resembles the |
Diana, though punches are looser;
berries large.
CLARK's SEEDING is a reddish
grape of excellent quality; early,
punches loose; vines hardy.
The ONTARIO is a large, handsome |
grape of good quality, said to be |
earlier than the Isabella, but other |
characteristics not vouched for.
The ANNA is a fine, large, white
grape, in size Of bunch and berry re-
sembles the Catawba. 1t is said to
be earlier than the Isabella.
The LOGAN is medium-sized,
very dark grape, of good quality,
ripening in September. But its TO-
liage is stated to be rather delicate,
though it is called very hardy, as it
ripens its wood thoroughly in Sum-
mer. 1t does not appear distinct e.
nough to become popular variety.
The CUYAHOGA has been highly
praised, and specimens tasted by us
We're truly excellent. This, too, was
in 1860. We notice in the Ohio pa
pers that it has been unusually fine
this year; and Mr.. Bateham, of Co
lumbus, thinks, "all things consider
ed, it is the best native light-color-
ed grape yet known" The bunch is
of good size.
Other grapes are commended by
various cultivators, among which
are the Away, Maxatawny, Garri-
CUES and OppoftO: and one prOduc-