Editing Ephraim Bull (section)

==The Development of the Concord Grape==

In the late 1830s, Bull observed a vine growing on his land, a seedling likely originating from the native Fox grape of New England. Noticing the fruit’s improvement over the typical wild grape, he planted its seeds in 1843, conducting experiments to improve the grape’s quality. His dedication paid off in 1849 when he successfully developed the Concord grape, a variety that would transform North American viticulture. Hardy and adaptable, the Concord grape became commercially available in 1853 through noted horticulturist Charles Hovey. It soon became one of the most popular grape varieties, known for its ability to thrive across the North American temperate zone. Today, the Concord grape stands as a key type in American viticulture, alongside notable New England cultivars like the Baldwin and Porter apples.

Despite the widespread success of the Concord grape, Bull saw little financial benefit from his discovery, with much of the monetary gain going to others.