REPORT UPON GRAPES. 



REPORT UPON GRAPES OF THE COMMITTEE AD 

 INTERIM OF THE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF 

 GEORGIA. 



As several varieties of grapes — some well known to all 

 fruit growers, others imperfectly so, and some entirely new — 

 have been from time to time submitted to the Committee, it 

 has been thought advisable to report upon this fruit by itself, 

 and in so doing, notice in detail all the native varieties knov.u 

 to us now cultivated. We shall strive to do this so fully, that 

 any one under the impression he has a new grape can proba- 

 bly ascertain, from these descriptions, whether his fruit has 

 already passed under the eye of the Committee, and, if it 

 has, determine for himself its name ; or, if it proves really 

 distinct, he can so decide, and send it to the Committee, to 

 report upon its qualities and value. 



So far as we know our cultivated native grapes, all belong 

 to three species : 1st. Vitisrotundifolia (Y. vulpina, of Gray); 

 2d. Yitis sestivalis ; and 3d. Yitis labrusca. The first of these species includes the 

 "Muscadine" and "Scuppernong;" the second, the smaller fruited, juicy "summer 

 grapes;" the third, the common "Fox Grapes." 



1st, Vitis rotundifolia (Y. vulpina, of Gray). — Stem, moderately large ; perfectly 

 smooth, even in the oldest vines. Leaves, small, seldom over three or four inches 

 across ; thin, smooth ; shining on both sides, most so beneath ; rounded cordate, 

 not lobed; acuminate, very coarsely toothed; teeth generally larger and smaller, 

 alternately ; axilla of the nerves beneath, sometimes furnished with a small tuft 

 of pubescence. Panicles, small, densely flowered, blossoming later than the other 

 species. Berries, large, one-half to seven-eighth inch in diameter ; black purple, 

 or light green, without bloom, with a thick, tough skin; musky. Branchlets, 

 minutely warty ; (Scuppernong, Bullace, Muscadine, Bull Grape, Southern Fox 

 Grape). 



Individuals of this species often produce only male or staminate flowers ; but 

 upon examination, this season, of many vines, wild and cultivated, while in blos- 

 som, more were found female or pistillate only. So far as observed, all the bear- 

 ing vines of the species had hermaphrodite or perfect blossoms, and the species is 

 doubtless polygamous. All the blossoms observed were six-petalled and hexan- 

 drous. Of this species, the only cultivated variety is the 



Scuppernong, a native of North Carolina, now widely cultivated. It is not 

 dia3cious, as stated by Downing and other authors, but with perfect flowers. Ten- 

 drils, green. Bunches, very small, having generally two to four, and occasionally 

 six, seven, or perhaps nine berries in a cluster. Berries, loosely set, large (five- 

 eighth to seven-eighth inch in diameter), round. Skin, thick, light green, with 

 minute brownish dots. Flesh, somewhat pulpy, juicy, of a honeyed sweetness, rich 

 and luscious, of a somewhat musky flavor and scent. Berries, ripen gradually, and 

 drop singly from the cluster when mature. The vine does not readily strike from 

 cuttings. 



There are said to be seedlings of this grape, with black and purple fruit, equal 

 in quality to the Scuppernong itself. For ordinary culture — as it never rots, and 

 is said to produce a good wine, it is probably the best single variety. SinHe vines 

 cover an immense area of trellis, and sometimes produce over twenty-five busheh 

 a season. Quality, " very good." 



YoL. YII.— October, 1857. 



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