GRAPES. CLASS V. 259 



found that they soon lose all their slight musky flavor. In 

 our climate, this and the Catawba stand foremost of na- 

 tive grapes, these being, of all others, longest tried ; both 

 make excellent wine, and equally require no protection. 



American grapes only are found suitable for vineyards, 

 being both hardy and sure. But, as delicious dessert fruits, 

 none, yet found, quite equal the best European kinds. 

 57. OHIO GRAPE. 



New, first discovered, and introduced to Boston, in 1842, 

 by Mr. Longworth, of Cincinnati. Bunches large, some 

 being ten inches, compact; berries small, round, black, 

 sweet. Productive ; and superior, as a dessert fruit, as he 

 asserts, to any other native grape yet known. 

 52. NORTON'S VIRGINIA SEEDLING. 



This superior native grape was originated by Dr. Nor- 

 ton, of Magnolia, near Richmond, Va. The bunches are 

 large, compact; berries small, black, round; good as a 

 table grape, and excellent for wine, which is of a dark vio- 

 let color, or of the color of port wine, with a just proportion 

 of astringency, and excellent flavor. The vine bears sur- 



frisingly ; all which I witnessed when last at Richmond, 

 add the full description of Dr. Norton, in his own words. 



" Vitis Nortoni. Produced by artificial impregnation 

 from the Bland and Meunier. Foliage somewhat resem- 

 bling the Bland. The shoots are of a red color, hardy, and 

 resisting the greatest degree of cold which happens in any 

 portion of the Union ; thriving with little care, and never 

 failing to produce abundant crops of fruit, which has not, 

 within the last 15 years, been known to mildew or rot. 

 Fruit blackish, or of a dark purple ; ripens in September, 

 and will remain perfect until the hardest frosts ; largest 

 bunches 9 or 10 inches long, sometimes shouldered, and 

 moderately compact, weighing one fourth of a pound ; must 

 rich, and of a dark reddish violet color. 



" Norton's Seedling stands unrivalled as a field and gar- 

 den fruit in Virginia; crops always surprisingly abundant, 

 and yielding wines, which, with proper care, will be found 

 inferior to none of the imported drinks from Madeira or 

 France. I obtained this variety by artificial impregnation, 

 after the manner of Knight. I consider it capable of 

 doubling the amount of our exports, when it is properly at- 

 tended to, throughout the Union ; for there is not a single 

 tstate in our associated confederacy, which will not be found 



