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THE EVOLUTION OF OUR NATIVE FRUITS 



original vine is still in existence. The Muscadine type 

 of grape differs from other species in having a tight, 

 non- shredding bark, unforked tendrils, a very long 

 growth of vine, very late bloom, and few -fruited clus- 

 ters of globular, thick-skinned, musky -tasted fruits. 



Fig. 17. The native Muscadine gr 



Vitis rotundifolia. 



It grows wild from Maryland southwards, but it reaches 

 its greatest perfection south of Virginia. The fruits 

 are purple -black, except in the Scuppernong, which is 

 yellowish. This variety bears four to six large grapes 

 in a cluster, which fall to the ground as they ripen. 

 The Scuppernong has long been highly esteemed in the 

 South, for although the quality is far inferior to that of 

 the Catawba in the opinion of most persons, it makes 

 excellent wine, and it is a regular and abundant bearer; 



