AND WINE MAKING. 151 



I began grape culture by following the old methods. I 

 have learned to see that their teachings may do in New 

 York or New England, but is inapplicable in this coun- 

 try. They see matters as they appear in their climate. 

 They want Labruscas and their hybrids. We do not. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 



THE GRAPES OF SOUTHERN TEXAS. 



BY G. ONDERDONK. 



MISSION VALLEY, TEXAS, August 18, 18.79, 

 Mr. George Husmann : 



DEAR SIR. I write in reply to yours of July 25th, 

 concerning the grapes of Southern Texas. 



THE MUSTANG ( Vitis candicans) is scattered profusely 

 in every variety of situation and soil all over Southern 

 Texas. It comprises many varieties differing in form, 

 color, and season of ripening. The fruit is from large to 

 very large ; some varieties attaining the size of the 

 Goethe. The prevailing color is black. It is remarkable 

 for the great thickness and excessive acidity of the skin. 

 The pulp does not contain more than a fair share of acid, 

 but is quite destitute of sugar in all of its varieties. By 

 the addition of two pounds of sugar to the gallon, it 

 makes a wine of some reputation. 



THE POST OAK GRAPE ( V. Lincecumii, of Buckley), 

 does not grow in this region. 



THE BUSH GRAPE ( V. rupestris) is here confined to 

 the mountains. It is a small, scrubby grower, and bears 

 only once in three or four years. The leaves remind one 

 of the rotundifolia. It is not found in the valleys, and 



