131 VITIS LAUUirSCA. 



fruit alone have been considorod, and in others, tlie shape and clothing of the 

 itwvt's: but as it will W im|)()ssil)li' for ns to enter intd all of tln^se coiisidcrations. 

 U'e shall only treat of a lew of those that have snecessfuUy been brought under 

 cultivation, whieli are as follows: 



1. \ . L. isABKLi.A, Prince. IsahiUtt Grapr-x^iuc. This variety is distinguished 

 by its larsje, dark-jiurpie fruit, of an oval form, and of a juiry, iiiusky ilavour. 

 It possesses i^reat vigour of growth, is a healthy and abundant bearer of fruit, 

 and what renders it exceedingly valuable in our climate is, that it re([uires but 

 litth^ protection during winter. Concerning its origin antl history, we are 

 indebted t<i ficncral .h)seph Swift, of Cieneva, in New York, for the following 

 aceount. which we trust will be no less acceptable in coming (Voui so respectable 

 a source, than in the interest elicited in so valuable a production. It apj)ears 

 that (General Smith, of Smithville, North Carolina, in ISOS, procured from 

 Dorchester, South Carolina, several roots and cuttings of a hybrid vine, which, 

 it is said, had been originated there by some families of Huguenots, between the 

 IJurgundy grape of Europe, and the native fox grape of that vicinity. In the 

 year 1S17. a vine produced from these cuttings, was transplanted from Smith- 

 ville. by ]\Irs. Isabella Gibbs, in honour of whom this variety was named, to the 

 garden then owned by her husband. Colonel George Gibbs, which was situated 

 along the southerly side of Cranberry, between Willow and Columbia streets, in 

 Brooklyn, New York. In 1819, the garden was purchased by General Swift, 

 who very generously distributed roots and cuttings of this vine among liis neigh- 

 bours and others, more especially to the late William Prince, of Flushing, Long 

 Island, through whose efforts it became widely disseminated throughout the 

 union, and was sent to several countries in Europe, Madeira. &c. The garden 

 has since been divided into lots, and occupied by buildings, and the original Isa- 

 bella vine, after attaining a circumference of more than a foot, was severed to 

 the ground in 1838. Fortunately, however, several vigorous vines have since 

 sprung up from the roots, which continue to bear fruit in abundance. From 

 other statements, it would seem that this variety is not a hybrid, but was known 

 in this country prior to 1800. 



2. V. L. BACOis ALBis, Loudon. Bland's Pale-red Grape^ Blanks Fox Grape, 

 Blafid s Virgijiia Grape, Red Skitppernong Grape, Carolina Grape, Mazzei 

 Grape. This variety may be known by its pale-green leaves, lengthened clus- 

 ters, with large berries, of a roundish or oblate form, pale-red colour, and sweet, 

 juicy pulp, of a pleasant flavour; in some cases, however, at full maturity, the 

 fruit is said to acquire a dark-purple or red-wine colour. It is more esteemed by 

 some, as a table fruit, than that of the Isabella, having a thinner skin, and con- 

 taining a pulp of less consistency. It was deemed for some time, as unsuitable 

 for our northern climate; but it has been found to succeed in maturing its fruit 

 in most seasons, in the neighborhood of New York, and may successfully be 

 cultivated as a wall fruit in a much higher latitude, both in Europe and America. 

 It has been contended that this variety was brought from Italy by Mazzei ; but 

 it is well known that it was cultivated by Colonel Bland, of Virginia, long before 

 that gentleman visited this country. The original vine is said to have been found 

 on the eastern shore of Maryland, by Mr. Bland, who presented cuttings of it to 

 the late William Bartram and Samuel Powel, of Philadelphia, and some of the 

 persons who received slips of it from the latter gentleman, gave it the cognomen 

 of Powel Grape. 



3. V. L. CATAWBiENSis. Catawba Grajie-vine. The fruit of this variety occurs 

 in loose bunches, of an inconsiderable size, and of a beautiful appearance. The 

 berries are large, and much varied in their flavour and colour, according to their 

 exposure to the rays of the sun. Those which receive the full effect of the sun, 

 are of a bluish-purple, and a slight musky flavour, but when partially exposed, 



