GRAPES. 155 



now occupies a large arbour in connexion with the Isabella, 

 so that there is no doubt of its being a native. It is a great 

 bearer, of similar habits with the Isabella, differing from that 

 kind only in colour, and coming to maturity a little earlier. 

 It is well worthy of general cultivation. 



Within a few years the attention of the American horticul- 

 turalist has been particularly drawn to the cultivation of na- 

 tive grapes; and it is a somewhat singular circumstance that 

 while many species of grapes are found in a natural state in 

 all parts throughout this continent, from the northern boun* 

 dary to the southern extremity, yet amidst all the grapes, 

 both European and Asiatic, scarcely any of them can well 

 be suited in any part of this continent, at least not so as to 

 become an article of commerce. It is true all the foreign 

 kinds may be cultivated here with more or less pains ; but I 

 speak of them as thriving with the same facility and manage- 

 ment as our native kinds. They generally require protec- 

 tion in winter ; and during the warm summer and fall months 

 are very liable to become mildewed in a greater or less de- 

 gree, while every species and variety of the native grape will 

 accommodate themselves to any part with little difficulty. 

 Hence cultivators have come to the conclusion that if this 

 country is to be a wine country, we must turn our particular 

 attention to our native grapes, and endeavour to find im- 

 proved varieties for this purpose. Some of the sorts have 

 already risen much in public estimation, and in the opinion of 

 judges, are much improved in flavour and productiveness. 

 It is however to be regretted that the nomenclature is not 

 better established ; some sorts being called by one name in 

 one part of the country, have different names in other parts. 

 In many instances the inferior kinds of French Grapes are 

 dressed out with some local name as an American Grape, 

 and in other instances real American Grapes are called by 

 foreign names, to which they have no kind of affinity. 



The kinds which at present seem well established, I have 

 noticed particularly, leaving a host of names out of the ques- 

 tion until better data and more practical knowledge will give 

 them a more decided character. 



