GRAPES IN VIRGINIA 7 



and pleasant to the taste, others rough and harsh, 

 and, perhaps, fitter for Wine or Brandy. I have seen 

 great Trees covered with single Vines, and those Vines 

 almost hid with the Grapes. Of these wild grapes, 

 besides those large ones in the Mountains, mention 'd 

 by Baft in his Discovery, I have observed four very 

 different Kinds, viz. 



"One of the Sorts grows among the Sandbanks, 

 upon the Edges of the low Grounds, and Islands next 

 the Bay, and Sea, and also in the Swamps and Breaches 

 of the Up-lands. They grow thin in small Bunches, 

 and upon very low Vines. These are noble Grapes; 

 and tho' they are wild in the Woods, are as large as 

 the Dutch Gooseberry. One Species of them is white, 

 others purple, blue, and black, but all much alike in 

 Flavour, and some long, some round. 



"A second Kind is produced throughout the whole 

 country, in the Swamps and Sides of Hills. These 

 also grow upon small Vines, and in small Bunches; 

 but are themselves the largest Grapes as big as the 

 English Bullace, and of a rank Taste when ripe, 

 resembling the smell of a Fox, from whence they are 

 called Fox -Grapes. Both these Sorts make admirable 

 Tarts, being of a fleshly Substance, and perhaps, if 

 rightly managed, might make good Raisins. 



"There are two Species more, that are common to 

 the whole Country, some of which are black, and 

 some blue on the out -side, and some white. They 

 grow upon vast large Vines, and bear very plenti- 

 fully. The nice Observer might, perhaps, distinguish 

 them into several Kinds, because they differ in Col- 

 our, Size, and Relish ; but I shall divide them only 

 into two ; viz. the early, and the late ripe. The 



