We have been asked to name the best varieties of grapes to plant. We should be glad to make a satisfactory reply by furnishing a satisfactory list; and were we younger, perhaps should attempt; but our present impression, after nearly half a century of experience, is, that we know little really of the different varieties of grapes. Of Catawba, Isabella, Clinton, and Concord, we may, perhaps, safely say that their characteristics and values, adaptation to soils, etc, have been pretty fairly exhibited, and yet it is only recently that traits have shown themselves in the Catawba, which the mass of growers knew not of ten years ago. The Concord, although by many called the "people's grape," and of late sent to the world by a "hundred dollar committee," from what we have seen this past fall, is certainly of doubtful character in its value as a grape to be grown where it has to travel long distances to market.

While many are confident of Diana, Iona, Rogers' 3 and 15, as grapes for dry wine purposes, yet strictly, the Catawba and Delaware are the only ones whose real values are known; and of these the former will not mature in some localities, and the latter has too often a disposition to cast its foliage before maturing its fruit, unless under a very high state of culture. Of the dark grapes for the making of the red wines, no one denies the superiority of the Norton's Virginia in quality; but as it is a difficult sort to propagate, growers of the plants do not urge it forward, but claim for Clinton, Ives', and others, a wine almost as good, and more abundant in quantity, while they are propagated with great rapidity Fifteen or twenty years, with an experience in every State, and various sections of the States, we consider necessary to decide the value of a grape.

Fruit Growers often make mistakes in attempting to secure too large a variety. It is much more profitable and satisfactory to cultivate well a few choice fruits of each sort, than a large number imperfectly. It can easily be ascertained from experience and observation what kinds are best adapted to any particular soil and climate. For a moderate sized place, where fruit is not grown extensively for market, but mainly for home consumption, it is easy to select varieties which will furnish fresh fruit for the table every day in the year. From three to five kinds, each, of our well established favorites of the various sorts of fruit, will secure this end. Indeed, if we were engaged in raising fruits for market, we should prefer to confine ourselves to as few varieties as practicable, leaving it for amateur fruit growers, and rich gentlemen farmers to experiment with the new varieties which are constantly added to our stock of fruits.

Rochester, August 10, 1866. Messrs. Editors :

The selling of old varieties of fruits under new names is certainly a great nuisance, terming it mildly. The latest development in this line, I have observed, is the so-called "Golden Queen " strawberry. I am certain that this "Golden Queen " is nothing more nor less than Trollope's Victoria. I saw them both exhibited, side by side, at the June meeting of the Rochester Fruit-Growers' Society, where they presented the same appearance, and were of the same size and flavor. Afterward I saw some of the plants of the so-called "Golden Queen," and the foliage was precisely that of the Trollope's Victoria. I am, therefore, convinced of their identity, as were also most persons at the meeting referred to, so far as I could ascertain.

Tour's respectfully,

Jacob Moore.