LAST summer, in an article on grapes, I expressed an opinion on the Croton grape, and styled it a pure blooded Foreigner. After more mature growth I was convinced that I was in error, which I deem a duty to retract, lest it might cause distrust in the variety.

It is a hybrid, and one that has ripened its wood perfectly; and now, after the mercury was down to 14° below zero, find it unharmed, although in an exposed place.

The fruit of Croton and Senasqua I have not seen, but the vines certainly promise health and hardiness.

I have them growing on the rich low land, as well as at an elevation of three hundred feet above the river, and so near, that a stone can be thrown from the cliff into the water. We have many new ones, which may fruit the coming year, that will be reported on.

Bluffton, Mo. S. Miller.

The Croton Grape #1

WHILE enjoying the leisure conferred by a rainy day, I have been looking over the back numbers of The Horticulturist and find much to instruct, as well as many-subjects of interest. Observing that several of the numbers have contained remarks upon Underbill's new grapes, especially the Croton; I cannot refrain from adding my testimony and experience, of as little value as it may be.

My first acquaintance with the Croton was at the Pomological Exhibition in Philadelphia, in September, 1869. Like other grape growers, I had been longing for a really fine and perfectly hardy white grape, one that in taste and appearance need not hide itself from its foreign relations. I did not see that the Martha possessed the requisite qualifications by far, but when I beheld the Croton in the delicious bunch and berry and tasted the fruit, my hopes were raised to the highest pitch, and I succeeded in the following Spring (1870) of procuring from Mr. Underhill a fine one year old vine, as also one each of the Senasqua and Large White.

Being anxious to give them a fair vineyard test only, I planted them in a row of a Salem vineyard, then being set out, together with a couple of Walter plants furnished by Ferris & Caywood, with the fruit of which I had also been much pleased. The entire vineyard was planted on a medium quality, pebbly loam, without any manure, and all the vines have received precisely the same treatment.

The Croton has made a growth of about four feet, making in that space 36 good and well ripened buds, being about equal in length of cane to the average of the Salem vines, but of much shorter joints. I do not think I am extravagant when I say that those three vines of Mr. Underbill's were this last year, the healthiest vines in a vineyard of twenty-five acres, the larger part being Concords in full bearing; but representing almost all of the popular varieties of any worth. The closest daily scrutiny from the time the bud started until the wood matured, failed to discover the slightest sign of mildew, leaf blight or any other disease; while, owing to a very unfavorable and wet June, there was scarcely another vine in the whole vineyard that was not more or less affected by mildew. The Walter, alongside, was completely defoliated, having made through the whole season but about 8 inches of wood; one vine dying back to the ground entirely, and the other vine ripening only the two lower buds. The Salem and Wilder vines were considerably affected, and the Goethe but slightly.

July was very hot and dry, ripening the wood up very rapidly and thus curtailing the growth.

The Large White is evidently a ranker grower, with a coarser leaf than either the Croton and Senasqua, which are very similar in their growth. Of the fruit of the Large White I know nothing; but, suppose it must be something promising but not as well tested as the others.

Should the Croton make a good wine (and I understand that the must has tested 100 on the scale), I think all grape growers and grape eaters owe a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Underhill for the success that has crowned his efforts in producing a White Grape of the finest quality.

From the experience of the past year, I believe that a grape, to become a successful candidate for vineyard cultivation, must be of attractive appearance, good eating quality, and last but not least, a good wine grape; for the past season has fully convinced me that all grape growers of any extent must become wine makers or sell their fruit to wine makers, as the markets generally were completely broken down and glutted. We will then become the most active agents for the abolition of those vile, poisonous drinks, that now bring so much drunkenness and consequent misery upon our people, and we can put within the reach of all, what so few have ever tasted, a pure, unadulterated and innoxious drink, one that maketh the heart glad without currupting and degrading the man.

For general cultivation the appearance and size of the bunch must be attractive; as I believe the tendency will be for consumers to buy by the pound weighed out, bunch by bunch, and the Croton will certainly answer to this call, as no one who has seen the fruit will doubt.

I do not think the hardiness of the vine can be doubted, and I shall do nothing to protect mine during the winter, and shall as certainly expect to see the last bud start in the spring as I should of any Concord vine. Bohemia , Town Point, Cecil County, Md.

The Croton Grape #2

When in Washington a few weeks ago, I saw a few late-hanging and long over-ripe Croton bunches. As grown there the bunch is quite large, the berries fair in size, and the grape worthy of praise every way. Those grown on the grounds of the Agricultural Department, too, were still in a few instances on the vines, and the employees spoke well of the grape. Thus I am disposed to commend it.

Mr. Tucker, of this place, early abandoned all of his Rogers' Hybrids as worthless, in such a season as this, after the hail storm that cut to pieces the new leaves and fruit. Yet November 10th, bushels of No. 1, 15, 3, 9, 41, etc., were on the vines. I picked a couple of bushels. And I have rarely eaten them as I have now ten days, with such pleasure. The fruits have sweetened and mellowed there, and they are as delicious as Malagas. As I have often before said, December and January are the months for Rogers' No. 1, and November for Salems and some other of his numbers.