102 THE NATIVE GRAPE VIXEo OF AMERICA AND AUSTR.U^IA. 



the Vitis family, with which plants North America has been 

 richly endowed ; but generally with fruits of a foxy smell and 

 disagreeable flavour. Before the close of the sixteenth century 

 wine is said to have been made from native grapes by European 

 settlers in Florida. In 1020 the London Company in Virginia 

 formed a vineyard from native vines, and in 1651 premiums were 

 offered by the authorities of that colony for wine production. 

 In 1796 French settlers in Illinois were reported as making 110 

 hogsheads of strong wine from native grapes. In IBOl Swiss 

 settlers planted native vines at Vevay in Indiana, and their 

 vineyards were soon a success. 



The native American grapes that have become objects of 

 culture throughout the United States are : — 



1. Mtis (fstiralis, Mich., the Summer Grape of the 

 middle and eastern states of North America. From this have 

 been produced the vineyard varieties known as Jacques, 

 Herbemonte, Norton's Virginia, Elsinbourg, Cunningham, 

 Rulander, and Pauline ; all resist the attacks of P/ii/llo.rcra 

 rastatrix as has been fully demonstrated in the United States 

 as well as in the south of France. Jacques and Norton's 

 Virginia gained prizes in competition with the wines of Southern 

 France at an exhibition held at Montpellier. 



2. Viti.s Labrusca, Linn., the Isabella grape, found in North 

 America from Canada to Texas and Florida, and also a native 

 of Japan. The Schuylkill, American Alexander, Concord, 

 Catawba, Isabella, Martha, Ives Seedling, and Hartford Prolific 

 are derived from this species. A pale fruited variety furnishes 

 Bland's Grape. The Concord takes first rank for wine and 

 dessert in the East United States ; it is not quite proof against 

 Plnjlloxent, but suffers less than most other varieties of this 

 species. This and other hardy North American vines are seldom 

 attacked by (Hdium. 



3. Vitis riparia, Michaux, is found from the Atlantic to the 

 Rocky Mountains. To this species belong the Clinton, Franklin, 

 Taylor, and probably ]'itis Solonis. The latter seems destined 

 to revive agriculture in Southern France, where Phi/Uoxera 

 vastatrix has annihilated such a vast extent of vineyards. 



