82 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



most Interesting kind, if not, superior to all others. Growth is like a tree and requires, 

 in consequence, when cultivated, a different treatment from all others. 



The wood, with a smooth, almost shining light gray bark, is hard like box-wood. 

 Cane, thin, thick and knotted, the fruit eyes, mostly on the regulators or waterspronts 

 of the previous season, and allows therefore, no pruning intended for fruit bearing, but 

 only to give shape. Leaf, small, dull form, but with sharp incisions, light green color, 

 upper and lower sides smooth. Grape, more broad than long, resembling the northern 

 Fox grape, and seldom with over 8 — 11 berries. Berries, large and oval, the largest di- 

 ameter about one inch and over, in form and size resembling our wood plum ; dark al- 

 most black, with very little bloom ; thick skin, like leather ; fleshy, little juice, and 

 ripens unevenly ; is mixed in harvest with the Seuppernong, a relative more suited for cul- 

 ture. It is found in the forests, from the 35th. degree, south, and the farther south, the 

 oftener. 



The above mentioned Seuppernong is the only relative known to me, cultivated in the 

 same latitude. It has stocks in an old vintage, one covering % an acre. Leaf, light 

 green, small, oval berries, the seed of which again produces mostly dark colored fruit 

 like the Muscadine, and requires layers therefore, for its multiplication. Wine made 

 from this grape, receives an application of sugar and spirits, but is still of inferior qual- 

 ity. 



5. Mustang Grape, ( Vitis 3fustangpnsis).— Is a native of Texas, and grows in such quan- 

 tities, that in the time of their ripening, the forests appear almost blue witli grapes. 

 This is a grape without an equal. Unfortunately all the seedlings which I raised thereof, 

 were males and consequently unproductive, which in this grape is very common. 

 Therefore I am unable to speak of my own observations of this grape. 



Stock, tree-like, over one foot in diameter, and climbs more than 80 feet high. Cane, 

 brown, fruit cane, 30 feet long, the end pointed, as are also the medium sized. Pointed 

 and sharp cut leaves, of which the lower side is whitish, while the upper, dark green and 

 shining, are covered with white wool, and the ends are of a pretty rose color. The 

 main color is hardly distinguishable, and looks on the cane, as if it was strewn over with 

 flour. To judge from my seed plants, this grape must be very productive, for from every 

 fruit eye, grew from 3 — 4 fruit canes, every one of which had from 3 — 6 grape buds, 

 and they all ripened. In the report from the patent office, of 1861, page. 582, is the fol- 

 lowing communication concerning this interesting vine, from Mr. S. B. Buckley and Dr. 

 Gideon Linsecom of Long Point, Washington Co., Texas, "harvested of one stock, 8 

 years old, in one harvest, 54 gallons of wine." 



The grape is more broad than long, compact, medium in size ; berries large, to one- 

 inch in diameter, according to the different degeneration, from blue to black covered 

 with blue bloom, skin thin with four seed kernels. Between the outer skin and the flesh 

 is a thin skin, whteh contains a sharp, red juice, and which creates, when eaten, a burn- 

 ing in the throat, and when taken in large quantities, considerable pain. This skin is 

 removed by a little pressure with the fingers on the berries. The real flesh of this grape 

 is rather of moderate good taste. The grape ripens mostly in the beginning of July ; it 

 is first ground, then pressed, the juice fermented by open bung, to let the rough gas es- 

 cape ; three pounds of sugar per gallon is added ; then the fermentation left to conclude 

 The wine is a beautiful red, resembles in taste the better claret, and sells at home mostly 

 at $1.00 per gallon, and is very much esteemed. 



In the interest of knowledge, I might dwell on a great many more forest grapes, whicli 



