GRIPES. 



153 



It does not appear that Pursh ever saw the fruit; he 

 merely states that it is found " in Virginia." 



THE AMERICAN CULTIVATED GRAPES. 



1. ISABELLA GRAPE. 



Bunches of a good size. Berries large, of an oval shape. 

 Skin quite black, rather thick, a common feature in most 

 American grapes. Juice, when perfectly ripe, very sweet 

 and rich, with a little pulpy consistence. When the vine is 

 vigorous, it generally produces five good bunches on each 

 shoot. It is an uncommonly fine and full bearer, producing 

 almost as many bunches of fruit as there are leaves on the 

 vine. Very hardy, and promises fair to become an impor- 

 tant sort for making good wine. Some of the vines about 

 New-York .and Brooklyn produce an almost incredible quan- 

 tity of fruit, and when well manured will grow to a very large 

 size. By good cultivation and proper pruning, the berries 

 improve much in size and quality, with less pulp and thinner 

 skin. 



This grape is said to be a native of Dorchester, South 

 Carolina, and was introduced into New-York by Mrs. Isa- 

 bella Gibbs, the lady of George Gibbs, Esq. It has been 

 supposed by some that it was either an imported grape or a 

 mixed kind between a native and foreign grape. I incline to 

 neither opinion. I believe it to be a pure native grape, from 

 the species No. 1 . without any foreign mixture, improved by 

 cultivation. 



2. WHITE SCUPPERNON. 



Bunches short and closo set. Berries large, of a roundish 

 figure. Skin white with some purple specks, of a brownish 

 colour on the sunny side. Juice, when perfectly ripe, sweet, 

 rich, and aromatic, with but little pulp. Ripens earlier than 

 the Isabella. Is also a great bearer, producing from three 

 to five bunches on each shoot. W 7 hen properly cultivated, 

 it spreads to a great extent. This sort also bids fair to be a 

 fine wine grape. 



3. RED SCUPPERNON. 



Bunches short, not so thick set as the former kind. Ber- 

 ries more loose, of a roundish shape, and of a brick colour, 

 Skin thin for a native grape. Juice sweet and of a good vi- 

 nous flavour ; the pulp melting. 



This is also a great bearer, and deserves an extensive cul- 

 tivation both as a wine and a table grape. 



