MICniGAJf STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 245 



failure, owing to the planting of foreign varieties. The great 

 mistake was not learned until several generations had passed. 

 And not until the present century was American grape culture 

 developed to a success. As the foreign grape would not suc- 

 ceed in out-door culture, it had lo be finally discarded, and 

 grape culture came to a stand still. 



If, therefore, the grape was to be cultivated here in the open 

 air, the only dependence was upon the native grapes. If these 

 could be improved so as to be worth cultivation, grape culture 

 could be successful here, otherwise it was hopeless. Somewhat 

 early in the present century the Isabella, said to have been 

 found growing wild in South Carolina, was introduced in the 

 Northern States. From this period, the grape culture in this 

 country took new life. 



THE ISABELLA 



grape was widely planted, but still something better was looked 

 for by those who desired a finer grape. About the year 1840 

 the Catawba grape was introduced by Major Adlum. This is 

 a grape of higher character than the Isabella, but, except in 

 favored locations, it does not ripen as far north by nearly a 

 degree of latitude. So much value was placed upon this grape 

 by its introducer, that he thought it worth more to the country 

 than if he had paid the National debt. The Catawba spread 

 itself rapidly over the country, and was the most popular 

 grape in America for a number of years. 



After thousands of acres had been planted, and the vine- 

 yards were apparently in a prosperous condition, having 

 realized to their cultivators millions of dollars, a disease was 

 developed known as the grape rot, which raged the severest 

 where the Catawba was most extensively planted. This proved 

 fatal and destructive. As speedily as the Catawba was once 

 planted, so quickly it was again rooted out and replaced with 

 varieties thought less liable to disease. At about this time the 

 American grape-growers were greatly encouraged by their 

 success in producing seedlings of improved quality from the 



