LIST OF VARIETIES. 115 



to be reported. Two of the best we have at present are 

 Isabella and Catawba, both of which are only natural 

 seedlings ; the former from the species Labrusca, and 

 the latter, which is the famous Wine Grape of the West, 

 most likely an accidental cross between Labrusca and 

 Vulpina. What a wide field is there here for experiment. 

 If we have advanced no further than what nature has 

 done for us, surely we are only on the first step towards 

 that perfection which the energy of the country can ac- 

 complish. The necessity of a thing has only to be seen, 

 when ingenuity is set to work to bring about the desired- 

 ultimatum; and now we see this necessity, there is no 

 doubt but ere long we shall have as great a variety with 

 good quality for all purposes in the indigenous kinds, as 

 are at present found in the foreign. This is no over- 

 stretched notion, and we are confident that it both can and 

 will be eventually accomplished. The American Pomolo- 

 gical Society at their last meeting came to the conclusion 

 that the only sorts worthy of being considered best were 

 Isabella, Catawba, and Diana, with a recommendation 

 for further trial of the Concord. That meeting contained 

 the best knowledge throughout the country, and our own 

 opinion is in strict accordance with their decision ; conse- 

 quently it may be better to let this short notice serve for 

 the present, with the hope that the desirable addenda will 

 be forthcoming hereafter; and for this reason there is a 

 chapter in its proper place on the raising of new kinds. 



As the Scuppernong class is found to flourish the best 

 in the Southern States, the few varieties contained in it 

 may be added for that region ; but these, like all the rest, 

 are capable of great improvement ; and it is very likely 

 that if the best varieties of California and southern Texas 

 be crossed upon them, a fine race would be obtained. 



