HISTORY OF THE GRAPE VINE 



CHAPTER I 



HISTORY OF THE GRAPE VINE 



IN telling the story of the Grape vine there is nothing new to recount; it 

 belongs to ancient history. The Grape is mentioned in the early chap- 

 ters of the Bible, from which we learn that it was held in high esteem 

 by the peoples of antiquity as well as of later times, who prized not only the 

 fruit itself but as well the wine extracted from it. According to the early writers, 

 the vine, Vitis vinifera. was cultivated in Asia and Egypt, in Greece, Italy, and 

 other parts of southern Europe, and later in France. It is even said that the 

 Romans attempted its cultivation in Britain during their occupancy of that 

 land, though with poor success. This shows that the warm air of Italy is better 

 adapted to its successful cultivation than is the damp and moist climate of 

 England. 



Vineyards are mentioned by Bede (before 731 A. D.) as existing in several 

 parts of Britain. Even the monasteries were not complete without their vine- 

 yards. More has probably been written concerning the Grape vine than of 

 any other fruit. It is disappointing, however, in looking over the references 

 to it, to find so few records of value as to its actual history. Take, for instance, 

 the Muscat of Alexandria, one of the oldest known Grapes, and still without 

 a peer when properly handled; how interesting it would be to know the true 

 early history of such a magnificent fruit! Many varieties have been disseminated 

 during the past three score years, yet, if I were asked to name the two best 

 varieties of Grapes, 1 should unhesitatingly say Black Hamburg and Muscat 

 of Alexandria. The latter variety has gone under many differing names, and 

 so-called improved varieties have been tried in years gone by. Even the much 

 discussed Canon Hall Muscat was thought, and not so long ago, to be an im- 

 provement, and such it would undoubtedly have been but for the fact that it 

 was almost impossible to secure from it a good set. Thus, this varietj- was 

 weighed in the balance and found wanting. Strange to say, several of the leading 

 varieties of cur Grapes of today were not recognized at their true value until 

 some years after they were first tested or raised from seed. Foster's Seedling was 

 originated about 1835, but it was not grown to any extent until twenty-five 

 years later; then, howe\er, it became popular so quickly that it was found in nearly 

 every establishment growing Grapes on any scale. Gros Maroc was introduced 

 about 1855, from the vineyards of M. Vibert of Angers, but it remained com- 

 paratively unknown for a number of years and until T. F. Rivers received a 



D. H. HILL U^'=?ARY 



North ';f - '" • ''^S,* 



