THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 29 



This brief introduction leads us to the consideration of American 

 grapes as cultivated plants. We have seen that it is an absolute impossi- 

 bility to grow tlie Old World grape in eastern America. Tlie fruit-growers 

 in this great region are forced to plant the nativ^e grapes if anv. It required 

 two hundred years to establish this fact and it is less than a hundred years 

 since grape-growers have generally acknowledged it as a fact. Wliat was 

 known of American grapes during the two hundred years wasted in attempt- 

 ing to grow the foreign Vinifera? And what has been accomplished in a 

 century in ameliorating the native grapes? 



The earliest European visitors to the Atlantic seaboard delighted in 

 the wild grapes which they found everywhere and which reminded them 

 of the Old World vineyards. Had they never seen such a fruit, the wild 

 grapes could not long have escaped their attention; for the Indians knew 

 and used them as they did potatoes, corn, and tobacco. In the narratives 

 of the early voyages the grape is often in the lists of the resources and 

 treasures of the new-found continent. Unfortunately it was not considered 

 of great intrinsic value but only suggested to the explorers that the grape 

 of the old home might be grown in the new home. Could a part of the 

 exaggerated esteem given by the early European travelers and home- 

 seekers to sassafras, ginseng and other such plants, have been bestowed upon 

 the wild grapes which over-run the country, viticulture would have taken 

 rank with the tobacco, lumber and the fish industries of the early settlers. 



In the history of Vinland, or more properly Wineland, we find the 

 first record of American grapes.' Biarni Ileriulfsson, a Norseman, while 



■ The following is an account of the discovery of grapes in Vinland translated from the Icelandic 

 manuscript by Reeves: 



" When they had completed their house Leif said to his companions, ' I propose now to divide 

 our company into two groups, and to set about an exploration of the country; one half of our party 

 shall remain at home at the house, while the other half shall investigate the land, and they must not 

 go beyond a point from which they can return home the same evening, and are not to separate. 

 Thus they did for a time; Leif himself, by turns, joined the exploring party or remained behind at 

 the house. * * * 



" It was discovered one evening that one of their party was missing, and this proved to be Tyrker- 

 the German. Leif was sorely troubled by this, for Tyrker had lived with Leif and his father for a 

 long time, and had been very devoted to Leif, when the latter was a child. Leif severely reprimanded 

 his companions, and prepared to go in search of him, taking twelve men with him. They had pro- 

 ceeded but a short distance from the house, when they were met by Tyrker, whom they received 

 most cordially. Leif observed at once that his foster-father was in lively spirits. • * * Leif 



