This season we have a new variety introduced, called the. Lisbon Purple Grape. As its name indicates, this is a purple grape, but unlike any of ours, for it varies from the darkest shades to a light amber, yet all seem ripe. The first that arrived came in good order, and sold from ten to fifteen dollars per box, but some of the later arrivals came in bad order, and sold at a mere nominal figure. The boxes in which these are packed vary from the others in size and make. They are more the style of the orange box, having a partition in the middle, and contain from fifty to sixty pounds each. These are also packed in ground cork, but very much closer, for the packing indicates that it was the intention of the packer to get in all the grapes he could, which is directly contrary to those packing the Malaga, for in many instances it seems that they tried to get in more cork than fruit.

Before closing, let me call your attention to one or two other features of this business that I hope may interest you.

While growers are discussing the profits of growing this or the other kind of grape, their peculiar color, flavor, etc., etc., as being superior, and will finally become the leading grape, etc., etc., our buyers care but little or nothing about these peculiarities. What the great mass of our buyers want, is a black grape of good size, fair clusters, but must be sweet. You may call it by any name you choose, the name will not amount to anything with them. I have frequently been amused with some of our German grocers to see with what obstinacy they refuse to purchase any but a black grape. They say they cannot sell any other, for their customers don't know any other kind, and refuse to purchase any but those they are acquainted with.