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whilst neither Europe nor Africa can claim the possession by Nature of any species whatever. The consideration of the why and the wherefore of this most striking demonstration of Nature in her wise and determinate purposes, we shall leave to a future occasion, when the opportunity may be afforded us of giving more amplitude to a discussion of such intense interest and importance as connected with the Economy of the Universe.

I may, however, be permitted here to comment upon the grossness of the error of calling either Italy or Greece "The Land of the Vine," as Nature herself presents to us by the mighty preponderance imparted to North America in the creation of her numerous species of the Grape; that our own Country is the only one of all Nature's realms which is entitled to so glorious an appellation, as is demonstrated by the bright and glowing Vinous wreath, which everywhere encircles her domain. We wish now to proceed to an investigation of the character and relative value of each of the Eleven species which God and Nature have apportioned to North America, all of which are comprised within the limits of our own Country; while some of our most southern species extend their area to the adjoining northern line of Mexico, bordering the Rio Grande. It will thus be seen that Nature has extended the domain of "The Vine," one of the most beneficent gifts of God, over an immense expanse, extending from 25 deg. to 45 deg. north latitude on the Atlantic side of our Continent, and probably covering an equal extent on the Pacific side of our vast Country, thus occupying an almost identical latitudinal area of the Western Hemisphere that it does upon the Eastern one.

The North American species are all Diæcious or Polygamous, the number of Males being apparently greater of V. æstivalis, Viparia, and some of the Texan species. This sexuality does not result from any abortion or unnatural defect in the organism of the plants, as has been inconsiderately supposed, but is in accordance with the normal characteristics of the respective species, and the positive creations resulting from a great natural law. They thus differ in their Class and Order from the V. vinifera, the one solitary species of the Eastern Hemisphere, by a physical condition which was unknown to Linnæus, who was in like manner ignorant of the important fact that the same sexual distinctions between the plants of the two Hemispheres existed in the Fragaria or Strawberry family.

I. VITIS LABRUSCA-FOX GRAPE.

Branches covered with a russet pubescence; Leaf very large, broad cordate, beneath covered with a white gray or russet down; Berry large, round, depressed or ovate, black, purple, red, or bronze white; skin generally thick, sometimes thin; pulp usually tough, more or less juicy, sweet or insipid, naturally of strong, musty, foxy flavor, but sometimes very pleasant; Cluster naturally, short and small, with but few berries, but the size of the cluster, and the number, size and quality of the berries, are greatly increased in many seminal varieties, some of which are entirely devoid of the musty flavor, or lose it at maturity; and some very sweet, with little or no pulp, or with a pulp that becomes soft, and dissolves when the berries are fully ripe. The berries of the natural varieties mature very early, say from the last of August to the middle of September. The numerous

seedling varieties ripen during the same period, and down to October. The Vine attains to a great growth, climbing the loftiest trees of the forests.

It is found in Upper and Lower Canada, growing in its natural state much farther north than any other species; and it also extends its area to the extreme Southern limit in which Nature has located any other species, it being found in Georgia, Arkansas, the Sierra, and the level lands of Texas, and along the northern line of Mexico, bordering the Rio Grande.

This is a most important species for us to perpetuate and enlarge by growing seedlings therefrom, on account of its great hardihood, amazing vigor, and robust character, in which it surpasses all other species, it being capable of enduring any cold and all vicissitudes of climate. In point of fact, this species may be considered one of Nature's most estimable gifts, as the varieties produced from it are not only suitable to form successful vineyards in the northern sections of our own Country, but to cover the most northern Countries of Europe with Vineyards that shall prove far more productive than the best Vineyards of France, Italy and Greece. Such is the destiny of this and of other American species of the Grape, as I stated eighteen years ago in an article then published in the Gardener's Chronicle, of London, but which was assailed, and all American Grapes condemned as worthless by Prof. Landley, its Editor, whose plethoric perversity in ignoring everything American thus succeeded in retarding European advancement in the general culture of the Vine until the present period. This species was introduced to Europe in 1656, together with V. æstivalis. What has Europe lost by 200 years of neglect to cultivate these Vines, so congenial to her climate, and so immensely superior in product of fruit and of wine to the V. vinifera, introduced from the East?

II. VITIS ASTIVALIS-CLUSTER GRAPE.

Leaf broadly cordate, three to five lobed, more so than the Labrusca, young leaves with russet cobweb pubescence beneath; cluster oblong compound, with more berries than the preceding species in their natural state; Berry small to medium, deep blue or purple, but seminal varieties have been produced of other shades; skin thin; pulp tender or dissolving at maturity; flavor more acid, but also more vinous and sprightly than the preceding, often very pleasant and quite juicy; growth vigorous, attaining a lofty height, often sixty to eighty feet on trees in the forests. It is an admirable species for its vinous qualities, from which we have already obtained many most admirable varieties suited for vineyards and the dessert. Its northern limit is Connecticut, but it extends its domain southerly to Arkansas, Florida, Texas and New Mexico. Its range is with labrusca along the Atlantic States and further to the West.

The different varieties mature their berries from the latter part of September and throughout October.

III. VITIS CORDIFOLIA-FROST GRAPE-WINTER GRAPE-CHICKEN GRAPE.

Leaf cordate, acuminate, variable, glabrous on both sides; Cluster loose, usually many berried; Berry small, black or blue, thin skin, acid or acerb, but pleasant after touched with frost. Some seedling varieties are sweeter and of very good quality. The vine attains a length of forty to fifty feet, and is of the most hardy character, ripening its fruit the begin

ning of October, which will hang on for a long time. It is found in Upper Canada, and extends south to Arkansas and Florida. This is the V. vulpina, of Linnæus, Wildenow, Walter and Eaton. Torrey and Gray have. erroneously supposed the V. vulpina of Linnæus to refer to V. rotundifolia.

IV. VITIS RIPARIA-WINTER GRAPE-FRAGRANT GRAPE.

This species has also been named V. odoratissima, on account of the Mignonette fragrance of its flowers. Leaf coarsely, unequally, but deeply toothed, or acuminate; somewhat trilobate; thin, smooth on both sides; veins and petioles pubescent, very distinct in foliage and fruit from V. cordifolia; Berry very small, round, deep purple, acerb, dark juice, two to three seeds; cluster sinall, loose, with a few scattering berries of no value; flowers both dioecious and polygamous; growth exceedingly vigorous and rampant, will speedily cover a large area, and very suitable for shady bowers. It is found in Upper Canada and around Niagara Falls, where I found both sexes, and South to Arkansas, and in the Western States. 'Its location is usually on the banks of rivers and smaller streams.

V. VITIS ROTUNDIFOLIA-MUSCADINE-BULLACE-BULLET-SCUPPERNONG.

This is the most peculiar in its foliage and general character, and would not be supposed a variety of the edible Grape family by any casual observer. It forms an immense vine, either lofty or horizontal, and there are Vineyards in North Carolina where four vines cover an acre. Leaf cordate, unequally toothed, smooth and lucid on both sides; Berry large, black, deep purple or white, coriacious, sweet, of good flavor, makes a Wine of the most exquisite aroma, equal to the finest ever produced in Southern Europe; Raceme or Cluster comprised of numerous umbels of four to five berries each; branches smooth, gray, and slightly verrucose; very ramified. Some varieties are acid or indifferent, others excellent,

especially the White Scuppernong. It is seldom met with at the North, although we have cultivated it for thirty-five years on Long Island, and have found it to succeed perfectly, and to be exceedingly productive, the berries free from pulp, and the White variety equally good as the Chasselas.

This species is not found growing naturally North of the Potomac, but is plentiful throughout North Carolina, and South to Florida and Texas, and in several of the Western States.

VI. VITIS CARRIBEA VEL INDICA-CARRIBEAN GRAPE.

Leaf small, round, cordate, upper surface smooth, under gray down; Berry small, dark purple or black, sour, acid, usually unpalatable, but sometimes agreeable; a high climber; native of Florida, Arkansas, and to the Southern limit of Texas and the Carribean Islands. There are many male plants which have, of course, infertile germs, and consequently cannot produce fruit, such being in perfect fulfillment of their sexual character.

VII. VITIS CALIFORNICA--CALIFORNIA GRAPE.

Leaf subrotund, large toothed, entire or lobed, smooth above, tomentose beneath; Berry small, black, moderately juicy, assimilates to V. cordifolia, but distinct, and ripens in summer. Vine of vigorous growth; usually

found on the borders of streams. We have it in bearing on our grounds. It is of most vigorous growth, and will ascend thirty to forty feet or more, and spread its branches in proportion.

VIII. VITIS MUSTANGENSIS-MUSTANG GRAPE.

Berry large, black or dark purple, thin skin, pulp red or white, very acrid red juice, four seeds, edible, not unpleasant when fully ripe; Cluster compound; Leaf dark green, rather smooth and glossy above, with a dense woolly pubescence beneath; branches, petioles, peduncles and pedicels almost covered with white down. It makes excellent deep colored wine, resembling Claret; grows abundantly in rich soils in Texas, and especially along the banks of rivers; of gigantic growth, being the largest growing Vine of Texas; flowers are both dioecious and polygamous, hence male infertile vines are often seen.

IX. VITIS RUPESTRIS-ROCK GRAPE.

Leaf small, reniform, cordate, incisely toothed; Berry small, black, rather acid, thin skin, tolerably good; growth bush-like, erect, only four feet high, seldom trails; Cluster compound, erect; grows in the rocky beds of streams that are dry in summer; found only in the hilly country north of Austin, and in New Mexico, and matures its fruit here at the end of September.

X. VITIS MONTICOLA-MOUNTAIN WHITE GRAPE.

Leaf entire, cordate, crenate, upper surface nearly smooth, under side and petiole downy; young branches slender, tomentose, trailing, or climbing on bushes to the height of four to six feet; Berry large, white or amber, thin skin, pulp sweet, tender and juicy, from one-half to threequarters of an inch in diameter; Cluster very compound. It grows on the hills and mountains northwest of Austin, Texas; ripens its fruit there in August, and here in September.

XI. VITIS LINSECOMII-POST OAK GRAPE-PINE WOOD GRAPE.

Leaf very large, smooth above, rusty pubescent beneath; Berry large, deep purple, thin skin, tender, juicy, slightly acid, pleasant; Cluster compound; the vine trailing, or climbing four to eight feet; native of Texas, exceedingly productive, ripens its fruit there the beginning of July, and here in August.

XII. VITIS VINIFERA-PERSIAN OR ORIENTAL VINE.

This is the only edible species which Nature bestowed upon the Eastern Hemisphere, unless the Yeddo Grape should prove to be a distinct species, and not a mere variety. This classic species, so long symbolized as "The Vine," like its American congeners, covers in its native regions a large portion of the Northern Temperate Zone, comprising nearly the same degrees of latitude, extending from 26 deg. north through Persia, Cabul, and throughout the entire Caucasian chain of mountains, to their northern limit on the Black Sea, and beyond that Sea into the Crimea up to 46 deg. north. It is also found in Syria and Palestine, Lat. 31 to 37 north. It is somewhat surprising that at this day we should witness a statement by a writer in the Patent Office Report for, 1861, that "The History of the Grape Vine shows that it is a plant of a hot Zone," when, in point of fact,

no species of the Grape has yet been found growing naturally in any Tropical region, and none will flourish there except in high mountain ranges where the atmosphere assimilates to that of the Temperate Zone.

Without discussing any further the primitive history of "The Vine," and its progressive dissemination during the earlier periods of its history, we will commence with its introduction to Europe. It appears that the Phoeniceans, who possessed an extensive commerce throughout the Mediterranean, introduced the Grape from Syria and Egypt some centuries before the Christian era, into the isles of the Archipelago, and afterwards into the Island of Sicily, and into Greece; and lastly to Italy, Provence, and by the Phocian colony into the territory of Marseilles (France), and to Spain. When the first Vines were brought to France they would scarcely sustain the winters of her Mediterranean shores. Gradually, however, by extensive seminal reproduction, under the fostering care of the French Government, it has become acclimated to every part of that country, as well as to Switzerland and Germany. It has required 2,000 years to so acclimate the Vitis vinifera as to render it susceptible of successful culture in the countries where vineyards now exist in Europe. But after attaining this favorable result in the culture of the Persian Grape, the vignerons of northern and middle France, Switzerland, Belgium and Germany, find it necessary to prune their vines to the size of a currant bush, and these do not produce one-third the quantity of wine per acre which can be obtained by the culture of the very hardy and robust American species and varieties, natives of the northern and middle sections of our Country.

A WAY TO GROW GRAPE VINES.

Dr. S. J. Parker.-An advantageous method of getting a large growth in grape vines during the second year, is the following: put your vine, one year from the single eye or bud, in a pot eight inches in diameter at the top, and nine or ten inches deep, about the first of February, which is the best time of the season for starting early tomatoes, vines, etc. Prepare your pot by filling it half full of fresh horse manure; crowd down the manure so as to fill one-third of the pot; now put in soil, half rich garden earth, and half sand. Sour leaf mold or peaty mold will defeat your attempt, therefore use your best garden soil. Spread out the roots well in this soil in the pot. In a warm spot in your grapery, or other spot where the air is warm, the vine will start from the bud at or near the ground, and grow vigorously, according to its strength, from one to five feet, by the middle of May. Now lessen the amount of water and heat and sunshine, and put your vine to rest, so that it shall grow no more while in the pot. Let there be a rest of from four to eight weeks, as perfect as possible, by having the earth almost as dry as powder, and as cool as forty degrees of the thermometer, and putting it where it will not have direct sunlight, watching the leaves so that they do not droop much nor turn very yellow -let them turn a little and look dingy, and the wood of the vine turn dark, or ripen, just as you ripen wood in a grapery in the fall of the year. Now, having rested your vine a month or six weeks, carefully prepare your permanent site for the vine, by digging it deeply and manuring it. Take your pot and invert it; shake out the earth and vine in your hand by tap[AM. INS.]

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