The terms Fox, Foxy, Foxiness, as applied to the aroma of all native grapes, is a misnomer, and, therefore, should be discontinued. It has been given to nearly every species of native grape. Le Conte, in his classifications, has:

1. The common fox grape, ( Vitis labrusca).

2. The summer grape, (Vitis aestivalis.) It is commonly called the "Fox grape".

3. The cobweb-leaved vine ( Vitis araneosa.) It is known as the "fox grape".

4. The winter grape, (Vitis vulpina.) The grapes have a strong smell, resembling that of a Fox; hence the name vulpina, (anglice. Fox).

Here are four distinct species of American grapes designated as Fox, certainly not for their peculiar aroma; for some of these varieties are destitute of it. Will any one presume to call the celebrated Delaware grape (a variety of the Vitis aestivalis)& Fox grape? I trow not. From whence, then, did the phrase originate? The fable of the Fox and the grapes is attributed to AEsop, who flourished in the days of Croesus and Solon, more than 2400 years ago: its application was to the Vitis vinifera, and it would hence appear that they had sour grapes even in those days. No other species of grape was known in Europe or Asia prior to the discovery of America. We may suppose the first adventurer from beyond sea to this continent, on landing, discovered grapes growing into the tops and extremities of our gigantic forest trees, and, probably, meeting the same difficulty in getting at the fruit that the fox in the fable did, methinks I hear him say, Ah! these are the " fox grapes" we read about. Now the first discoverer has an undoubted right to name the fruit; but he, doubtless, supposed that America, like Asia, produced but one species; subsequent examinations show that there are many; some writers enumerate them by dozens.

These have been reduced down by careful classifications to four or five, east of the Mississippi, and these present very distinct and marked differences; yet all are named, as if the only characteristics of an American grape was "a strong smell, resembling that of a Fox." Here is the error. How would it appear, if we were to name the celebrated Muscat grapes, with their peculiar musky flavor, resembling in that respect some of the varieties of the Vitis labrusca so closely as scarcely to be distinguished from them - the muskrat grape 1 and hence endeavor to "make believe" that it had an offensive animal smell. If the name Fox was originally given to one, it certainly does not belong to the three or four other Native species. Let us, then, apply it to the one known as Vitis vulpina of Linnseus, (Fox,) and let the other species be known by their botanical names, V. labrusca, V. aestivalis, V. cordifolia, etc. If the names of animals are still desirable, let us call them polecat, woodchuck, muskrat, etc, and let it be understood, that we shall endeavor to discover the animal smell when we eat the fruit, and thus be. able to distinguish one from the other.

The V. labrusca has a musky flavor, which, instead of being offensive, is agreeable; it is sought after for the aromatic bouquet of its wines. An eminent western vintner writes me, " I should like the Catawba better if it had more of the Fox flavor and aroma than it has for wine;" though he certainly does not mean the " strong smell of the fox," for he could easily obtain the animal at Cincinnati, and impart its peculiar flavor to his wine, by a single plunge into the fermenting vat. Here we see clearly the misnomer; it is not the fox flavor, but the musky aroma of the erroneously so called fox grape that he prefers. So long as we attempt to cast contempt upon any species of grapes, so long shall we neglect to discover their good qualities, and introduce improved varieties into cultivation. The varieties are very numerous. Many of those growing wild are late in ripening, and are valueless; they are overtaken by frost, and fall from the stem while austere, acrid, and immature. We can expect nothing from them, except in warmer climates; but there are varieties which ripen early, and from these may be selected such as will certainly, in future generations, if not in the present, excel the Isabella; larger, sweeter, more juicy, thinner skin, softer pulp, finer flavor, the bunch and berry of good size, adhering firmly, a good bearer, free from mildew and rot, ripen early, and the vine a good healthy, hardy grower.

This may seem chimerical; but 1 am confident that such a desirable table grape can and will be produced from the Vitis labrusca, or from some of its generations; at any rate, one possessing many of these qualifications. The improved varieties of this grape already in cultivation are Isabella, Catawba, Union Village, Concord, Diana, Perkins, Hartford Prolific, and many others of less note.

From the Vitis aestivalis are descended some of our most valuable varieties of the smaller or wine grapes; lacking the aroma of the V. labrusca, but, nevertheless, bearing "bags of wine," containing the proper proportions of sweet, acid, astringency, albumen, mucilage, and vegetable extract, for producing good wine. This species, with, perhaps, one exception, will, probably, never excel for the table, as the bunches and berries are too small to become attractive or desirable. Among the cultivated varieties of this grape are the Delaware, Clinton, (deserving more attention than it has received,) Warren, Pauline, Le Noir, Elsinburgh, and others.

The Vitis cordifolia (Fox grape) is hardly worthy of cultivation for any purpose. I know of no varieties of it that are considered desirable for gardens or vineyards. If the Vitis vulpina is really the grape that has the offensive smell, it is the only one that can be called the Fox grape; then "give the devil his due," and forever acquit the Vitis labrusca and Vitis aestivalis from the charge.

I appeal to the good sense of the pomological world (that world having very much increased of late years, both in circumference and knowledge, has now become very extensive; of course, there must be a large amount of good sense to appeal to) to call things by their right names.

[We agree with you, Dr. Mosher, and others, in condemning the absurd use of the terms in question. There ought to be an end of it at once and forever. You have done a good thing in calling attention to it so pointedly. - Ed].