THE past season has been peculiarly favorable for the grape crop in New England. Oar remarkably warm and dry summer and autumn, though in some instances rather trying to the vines, have yet, on the whole, ripened up the fruit considerably earlier than is usual, and brought nearly all kinds to an unusual perfection. A few notes in regard to some of the newer varieties may be of interest to the readers of The Horticulturist, and possibly of some benefit to those who contemplate purchasing.

1. Brant (Arnold's Hybrid No. 8)

This variety fruited with me for the first time this season. It is a strong, healthy grower, but did not this year give any such evidence of productiveness as I should have been glad to see. The clusters and berries both remind one of the Clinton, though the fruit is superior to that variety both in quality and earli-ness. It was one of the first in the garden to color, but the birds did not allow me to discover its time of ripening. Every berry was taken before one of them was fully mature. Next season I hope it will bear enough for the robins to allow me to get a taste.

2. Cornucopia (Arnold's No. 2)

My vine of this variety gave me several fine clusters. Both bunch and berry are larger than I supposed, several of the former being six inches long. It is also a much better grape than I had thought. When fully ripe it is very delicate in flesh and very spirited in flavor, making one of the best varieties in my grounds. I should think it would prove a very valuable grape for wine. I look forward to a farther acquaintance with it, with a great deal of hope. If it continues to improve with the age of the vine, it will make a grape to which, thus far, few superiors have appeared. Vine strong and healthy.

3. Cottage

This is a seedling of the Concord, introduced two years since by the originator of that. It was announced as much superior to its parent, and in various respects a most desirable grape. I have eaten it for the first time this season, and in all candor must say that it is by no means equal to the Concord. It has a hard, tough pulp, is decidedly foxy, and in my judgment not worth growing. The vine is a good but not particularly strong grower, and has proved, with me, entirely free from disease.

4. Croton

It takes a long leap to carry us from the last to this. For the Croton is one of the most superb grapes that has yet been grown in the open air. It is a white variety (a hybrid between Delaware and Chasselas de Fontainbleau), the berries of medium size, but the clusters very large. In texture it is as delicate as any foreign grape, while in flavor it is as pure and refined as the most fastidious taste could demand. It lacks somewhat that positiveness of character which is such a peculiar excellence in the best foreign varieties. I do not consider it quite equal to a well-ripened Iona. But this is a point on which tastes will differ. In a recent letter from Mr. J. B. Garber, of Penn., he says: " I have grown and tested over three hundred varieties of grapes during the last twenty years, and I unhesitatingly say that the Croton is the best out-door table grape that has yet been grown or tested by roe, and a dozen of my horticultural friends who tasted them with roe fully agreed with me in this opinion." And Mr. G. W. Campbell, of Ohio, says: "I regard the Croton, all things considered, the most promising new grape that has yet been introduced."There is no question that it is a splendid fruit.

My vines for two years have been entirely healthy, and have grown (with one exception, the first year) as vigorously as could be desired. The fruit ripens early, about with the Delaware. If any one wants a magnificent grape, that is a feast both to the eye and the palate, I advise him to send at once for a Croton.

5. Eumelan

Another year's experience with this has increased my admiration of it. I have quite a number of vines planted, and every one of them has been as healthy as could be desired. It is a vigorous grower and a very prolific bearer. The clusters are quite large enough, and very handsome in form. The fruit is about the size of the Iona, and is in quality superior to any black grape I know, except Senasqua. It ripens, too, as early as anything. Miles colors before Eumelan, but the latter ripens first. This for a black, Delaware for red, and Croton for white, gives us almost all that can be desired.

6. Lorain

This is another white variety that has attracted considerable attention in Ohio, having taken one or two first premiums for quality. My vine was set last spring. It grew well, showed a good healthy leaf, very short jointed wood, and appeared in all respects quite promising. Of course, no fruit.

7. Senasqua

This is a black grape (a hybrid between Concord and Black Prince), originated by Mr. Underbill, who also gave us the Croton. In my judgment it stands at the head of all out-door grapes I have ever eaten. It is not pulpy, like most of our native varieties, but meaty, plum-like in flesh, like the Black Hamburg. In delicacy and character it is more like the foreign grape than any other hardy variety that I know. It ripens, I am sorry to say, rather late; too late, I fear, for our latitude. Mine was one of the last in the garden to mature this year. But this was its first crop, and as the vine acquires age we may reasonably hope that the fruit will acquire earliness. The vine is a very strong grower, with a thick, tough leaf that promises to withstand mildew as successfully as any native.

8. Queen Of Sheba

This was sent me a few years' since by a friend in Connecticut, as a new and very promising variety, and on the basis of his strong commendation I have sent cuttings to various horticultural friends. But this year it fruited and proved to be nothing more nor less than Diana. W. H. W.

Beading, Mass.