The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1879-03-01
FARM AND HOME.

Noi Lenhetb r. Aoung IN Farmers u ONE Journal.
In no department of science has greater
Improvement been made during the won
dertul changes of the past thirty years.
than in horticulture. Varieties of fruits
and flowers have multiplied with amaz>
ing rapidity, and in Leaf, flower and fruit,
the growth in color, beauty and merit
has almost surpassed the limits of imapi-
nation. In horticulture, Americas soil
and climate render her the seat of its
greatest open-air success, and for senera
outdoor culture of fruits and flowers no
other land can surpass or equal in United
States. Our varied soil and many-de-
greed temperate climate furnish al the
necessary conditions for the production
of the finest fruits and most gorgeous
flowers, and, under recent developments
in planting and hybridiEing, We have
Sights for the eye and treats for the
palate that surpsss the ,glories OF the
Gland of the Sum-
In grape culture has this improvement
been especially noteworthy. Forty-years
ago few wild specimens and some COM
moner and now almost extinct varieties
were the only grapes that we could point
to as native to our soil. Now we have more
than three hundred well defined varieties,
fully one-third of which merit cultiya.
ton.
The best of our American grapes for
table use rethe result of seeding growths
from the Northern Fox grape, called the
Labrusca class. Among these we have
some splendid varieties, which satisfy
every demand for table purposes, and
also make fine wine. From hybridizing
with foreign varieties, we have some
magnificent kinds, chief among them
Rogers and Arneld's hybrids: but for
solid substantial worth, for table use, we
must rely upon the Labrusca--the direct
or indirect seedlings of the Northern Fox
grape. The vines are hardy and vigorous
generally resisting disease; the grapes are
large, with moderate sized punches, and
in flavor, as class, are the sweetest Of
native kinds. They embrace about thirty
varieties, and include nearly all one can
want in table grapes. The principal
kinds of this class are as follows:
Adirondac--Black, large. punches COM
pact, somewhat uneven in size, but OF
delicious favor; with me light bearer,
but not fully hardy-requiring winter
protection.
Black Hawk-A~..splendid grape, fine
grower, fair size, rather small punches,
but the sweetest of black grapes, and 9
vine every one ought to have.
Catawbs-Tso well known to require
q description. 1t was found wild in
North Carolina, and some years ago in
troduced TO general notice by Maj. John
Album, of Georgetown, d. G. In his
enthusiasm this gentleman declared, by
introducing this vine, he had done this
country greater service than if he had
paid its national debt. This was then
undoubtedly true. The Catawba was o
great grape, but it has run its course,
and is now yielding the palm to many Of
its younger rivals. If anybody would
now like 10 take it and pay the national
debt, we doubt not it would be quickly
disposed of. a
Cassady-A round, pale green grape,
immensely productive and very sweet;
will grow well wherever the Catawba
does.
Concord The grapefor the million"
taken all in all, the best of American
grapes. Black, vigorous, hardy, pro-
duetiye, and, to the uneducated on
grape questions, Of fine favor. 1t re-
quires to be full ripe when eaten. II
makes q good wine lao people say who
drink wine). snd is one Of the largest
and most attractiye-lo looking grapes OF its
class. Its twenty years. trial has only
the more endeared it to the grape-eating
and grapesgrowing classes.
Diana--A seeding from the Catawba
Berries pale red; punches compact and
moderately large, with . very delicate
taste and musk favor II 10 very
vigorous grover and shy bearer. When
young it 10 a beautiful grape, but not %
fully hardy 40 most varieties Of its class.
Herttora Prnl;f;c--I.0n claimed to be