AKD WINE MAKIi^G. 13 



Without attempting elaborate botanical descriptions, 

 we give here a few brief popular notes on each species ; 

 the varieties derived from them will be found grouped 

 together in their proper places. It may be remarked 

 here that the species vary to a great extent in their wild 

 condition, and it is often the case that those most famil- 

 iar with grapes find it very difiicult to decide to which 

 species to refer a given specimen. That most thorough 

 botanist and keen observer, Doct. George Engelmann, 

 of St. Louis, Mo., found that the seeds give, in most 

 cases, more constant marks by which to distinguish the 

 species, than could be found elsewhere. Those who are 

 iiiterested in the botanical aspects of grape culture are 

 referred to an illustrated article prepared by him for the 

 " Bushberg Catalogue," published by Bush & Son & 

 Meissner, Bnshberg, Mo. 



1. YiTis Labrusca, Linn. — The specific name, La- 

 Irusca, is the ancient Latin one for a wild vine. This 

 species, the well known Wild, or Fox Grape, extends 

 from Canada to the Gulf, but is rarely found in the 

 Valley of the Mississippi. It is common in moist woods 

 or thickets, and sometimes reaches the tops of the high- 

 est trees. The leaves are large and thick, often entire, 

 and coated on the underside with a thick, whitish, or 

 rusty wool : berries large, dark-purple, or amber-colored, 

 with a tough pulp and a strong, ^^foxy," or musky odor; 

 the most common grape of the Northern woods, and pre- 

 sents a great variety in the wild state ; has given rise to 

 an important series of table grapes, of which the best 

 known are the Concord, and several useful hybrids. 



2. ViTis ^STTYALis, Michaux.— The term Summer 

 Grape is the equivalent of the specific name. This 

 has large leaves, which are clothed on the underside 

 with loose cottony or woolly down, which is bright red or 

 rusty, ^^smoothish" when old ; the clusters slender, com- 



