Nebraska advertiser., 1869-08-12
For the Agricultural Department
The Martha Grape.

Mo- new grape Of recentintrOductiOn
has grown so rapidly in public estima-
ton, and received such universal and
almost unqualified cOmmendatiOn, as
the Martha.
It originated from a seed of the well
known and popular Concord grape,
planted by Mr. Samuel Miller, an en-
thusiastic and intelligent hOrticultur-
fist Of Lebanon, Pa, who raised several
other seedlings at the same time, one
Of which, 1.-THE "Black Hawk,") has
obtained some nOtoriety; but the
Martha has proven far superior to all
others, and now justly ranks as the
most valuable SDhite grape for general
culture get Introduced IN the United
Mdtes.
In vigOr Of growth, as well as in
perfect health of foliage, it issO exact
" a counterpart of the Concord, that
the same description would apply
equally to either variety. In hardi-
ness and productiveness, it is also in
no wise inferior to its parent while
in the quality and flavor of its fruits,
IL is, both rs a wine and table grape,
greatly its superior.
Earlier specimens of the Martha,
from young and immature vines, have
been somewhat smaller IN both bunch
and berry, than the Concord but with
increasing age and strength, the size
Of both have increased and last sea-
son, very handsome clusters Of four
and a half inches in length, with ber-
ries three-fourths of an inch in diam
eter were produced, and the present
year promises to exceed these dimen-
sions.
In color, the Martha grape is very
handsome and attractive. A delicate
pale green, thinly coated with a pearl
white bloom, and a faint amber tint
next the sun. Skin thin, semi-trans-
parent, partially revealing the small
and few seeds when fully ripe. In
flavor il Is of the Concord character,
with something Of the native aIOmo,
but more refined, sweet, and rich than
the Concord, and free from cOarsness
next the skin or seeds. It has been
found, by repeated trials, TO register
1O' higher in sugar by the musicale
than the Concord, giving go against
so for the Concord, from the same
vineyard.
It has been also tested for wine in
Missouri, by Mr.. Geo. Hammond, and
perhaps by others, and found to make
q white wine of very high character ;
and It's value for this purpose can be
hardly over estimated.
In the Martha may be found agrape
that may be planted with confidence,
and that will disappOint no reasonable
expectations that may be formed Of it.
Wherever the Concord grape will sue
coed, no fears need exist Of planting
the Martha extensively, and Of reap
ing adequate rewards.
Two points OF superiority over the
Concord may be mentioned. One is.
q week to ten days earlier .ripenlng /:
the other, a greater tenacity of the
skin Ofthe Martha, renderingit much
less liable Ocrack in wet weather, and
also to bear hawking, packing and
shipping much better.
A word Of cautiOnt to buyers Of plants
may be added, for the vines are so
much like the Concord in growth and
habits, the temptation to substitute
may be too strong for the elastic con-
science Of indispensable stree pedlers,"
and u would be certainly safe to buy
Martha vines only from known and
responsible parties, whose name and
reputation would be a guaranty for
the g~enuineness Of what they sell.
GEO. w. CAMPBELL.
Delaware, Ohio.