9° 



THE GRAPES OF XEW YORK. 



grapes in New York. The third year from the planting of this vineyard 

 wine was made, and has been made at Washingtonville ever since, s-o that 

 this community may claim the oldest winery as weU as the oldest vineyard 

 in the State.' 



William T. Cornell planted a vineyard of Isabellas near Clintonville, 

 Ulster County, in the j'ear 1845. Mrs. Cornell and Mrs. William A. Under- 

 hill were sisters, so that Cornell's vines came from Croton Point. A. J. 

 Caywood, of Marlboro, was a brother-in-law of Mr. Cornell. Thus the 

 inspiration of this noted viticulturist to plant grapes, and to originate new 

 sorts, may be traced directly back to the Frenchman, Parmentier who, 

 as we have seen, furnished the Underbills with their vines and gave them 

 instructions for their care. The Catawba and Isabella were grown almost 

 entirely until the introduction of the Delaware and Concord, after which 

 the first named sorts dropped out entirely, being subject to mildew and 

 ri])ening late in the season. 



The Valley of the Hudson has more reason to be called the birthplace 

 of American viticulture than any other of the grape-growing districts of 

 the covmtry. The grape and wine industries, as we have seen, were early 

 started here. Prince's Linnaean Garden at the mouth of the Valley was 

 the first distributing agency for American grapes. Its owners did more 

 tlian distribute grapes, they distributed knowledge and trained men. A. 

 J. Caywood of Marlboro, J. H. Ricketts of Newburgh, Stephen Underhill 

 at Croton Point, Dr. A. K. Underhill at Charlton Dr. C. W. Grant at lona, 

 W. D. Barns of Middlehope, Dr. William M. Culburt of Newburgh, were 

 notable early originators and experimenters with grapes and from their 

 vineyards have come some of tlie best of our native varieties. KnitTin. the 

 Downings, and Buel are other familiar names in viticulture and horticulture 

 of those who lived on the Hudson and who have helped to invest the region 

 with sentiment and with interest for tlie grape grower. 



The number of varieties grown in this region is far greater than in otiier 

 parts of the State; as would be expected from its having been ttie birth- 

 place of so many and from its nearness to large markets where fancv sorts 

 can be disposed of to advantage. The Concord leads in acreage followed 



^ See Story of the Vine, E. R. Emerson: iqS. 1002. 



