EVOLUTION OF GRAPE TRAINING 



391 



the first definite attempt was made in Adlum's 

 "Memoir on the Cultivation of the Vine in Amer- 

 ica/' to record the merits of native grapes for 

 purposes of cultivation.* Even Adlum's book 

 was largely given to a discussion of European 

 varieties and practices. In 1846 "Thomas 7 Fruit 

 Culturist" mentioned only six "American hardy 

 varieties," and all of these, excepting the Catawba, 

 are practically not in cultivation at the present 

 time. The Concord appeared in 1853. American 

 grape training is, therefore, a very recent develop- 

 ment, and we are only now 

 outgrowing the influence 

 of the practices early im- 

 ported from Europe. The 

 first decided epoch in the 

 evolution of our grape 

 training was the appear- 

 ance of Fuller's "Grape 

 Culturist," in 1864; for 

 while the system which he 

 depicted, and which yet 



Often bears his name, was 254. The first American 



F . 



but a modification of P ictures of 



P ranin e 



European methods, and 



had been outlined by earlier American writers, it 



was at that time placed clearly and cogently before 



*Persons who are interested in the historical development of American 

 grape-growing, may consult the author's "Sketch of the Evolution of our 

 Native Fruits." 



