Graftin(j with Atnerican Vines. 8i 



the principal means of obtaining their living, and by which 

 many an industrious grower made a considerable fortune. 



The farmer of Madeira, accustomed for generations to this 

 branch of industry, is now forced to apply his energies to 

 another, on the fortunate selection of which will depend his 

 welfare for the future, or at least for years to come. 



Some of the wealthier growers have not entirely aban- 

 doned the culture of the vine, and have been assisted in 

 their endeavours by the Consul of the United States in Fun- 

 chal, the liberal-minded Mr. Marsh ; experiments were made 

 by engrafting and setting fresh and healthy plants, brought 

 from the banks of the Ohio. They proceeded on the prin- 

 ciple, that it is most advisable, and likely to be productive 

 of the best success, to obtain young plants only from countries 

 where the disease has never appeared. The choice fell upon 

 the Isabella and Catawba grapes, which are indigenous to 

 the United States ; and, whatever may be the final succes?, 

 the merit of transplanting, at a considerable expense, these 

 two North-American grapes to Madeira, is due to Mr. 

 Marsh. It is, however, a question, whether they will be 

 able to replace those hitherto cultivated, the conditions of 

 climate and soil being so different. As is well known, none 

 of the European vines succeed in North America; and the 

 two indigenous sorts, which are grown in great quantities on 

 the banks of the Ohio and the Missouri, cannot stand a 

 comparison with any of our finer kinds. The juice of the 

 American grapes is best suited for the manufacture of what 



G 



