Dear Sir - I have been very much interested in reading over Dr Valk's article in the Horticulturist for October, describing bis success in hybridising our hardy grapes with the exotic varieties. Too much praise cannot be given to that gentleman for his enterprising experiment, bat it appears to me that he has gone the Wrong way to Work.

Physiological theory teaches, and practical experience proves to us, that the progeny of a plant, the flowers of which have been fertilised by another, is more likely to retain the constitution and habit of the mother, while any peculiarities as to flowers and fruit of the father, are introduced into the same body; consequently the Isabella should have been fertilised by the pollen of the Hamburgh, when an Isabella yine would most probably have been more the product, with an approach towards the fruit of Hamburgh. This appears to be proved by your own description of the fruit, and also Dr. Valk's account of the appearance of the plant. So decided is the above fact, where proper care has been taken in the crossing, that the operator can predict tolerably closely, what the result will be. I do not pretend to deny that both fruit and plant will be somewhat changed by the same course which Dr. Valk has practiced, but we shall sooner and more Surely come to the goal of our wishes, by acting in accordance with those laws which an all-wise Creator has so Unerringly established. If we study nature she will bend most willingly to our purpose, and the progressive intellect of man may realise his most ambitious desired.

It appears to me as settled as a demonstrated fact, that we can produce by perseverance in this course, a tribe of grapes quite equal in flavor to a Muscat or Frontignan, and as handsome in form and size as the Hamburgh, with a constitution equally as hardy, if not more so, than the Isabella.

Perhaps no better varieties can be chosen than Black Hamburgh for a black, and Chas-selas Fontainbleau or Dutch Sweetwater for a light colored class, as these kinds are very sweet and devoid of that hard pulp which predominates in the hardy sorts. The Fron-tignans or Muscats I would not make use of, for the natives have already too much of the musky flavor. By introducing the sweetness of the Hamburgh and Chasselas, we shall be most likely to reduce in a corresponding degree the foxiness of the natives, which is likely to produce a Muscat flavor and Hamburgh size of berry and form of bunch. I do not presume to say that this can be accomplished in one generation, but perseverance in the right track is sure to bring it out in process of time. To ensure success, some care and attention is necessary; more will be accomplished, with care, from a dozen seedlings, than by a thousand without it. The plants to be operated upon, should be in robust health, neither having at any time shown symptoms of mildew, and the flowers of both selected from fine and well shouldered branches.

The operation of fertilising is also a somewhat delicate one, and there is some difficulty in getting the two sorts to bloom at the same time. - for the exotic, to be perfectly free from mildew, will, almost without exception, have to be under glass, and the native on account of producing hardiness should be planted outside. A temporary glass frame to forward the latter would be of service, and the former might be retarded by excluding the light till the buds burst and afterwards keeping the head down in a cold house. When the hardy sort begins to open its flowers the stamens should be immediately cut out, and the stigma fertilised by the exotic, for on this depends all success, as any plant will more readily be impregnated by its own another's pollen. While the mother plant is in bloom, care must be taken to keep off insects, and the female should be some distance from any other grapevine which is in bloom, for the pollen is a very subtle substance and a proximity might destroy all success.

As this subject is of such paramount and national importance, you will perhaps think these few hints of use to some of your numerous subscribers.

Yours moat respectfully, WM. Chorlton.