HISTORY OF THE GRAPE VINE. 



HISTORY OF THE GRAPE VINE. 



The vine is known to have existed from the earliest time of 

 wliich we have record. Extracts from diiferent sources, giv- 

 ing its history and the time and manner of its introduction 

 into Europe, are annexed. 



The variety of the grape from which have originated all 

 the kinds cultivated as European sorts in this country, came 

 first from Asia. For many centuries it has been cultivated 

 in the warm and temperate latitudes of Europe. 



The vine is also indigenous to America ; it is found, in its 

 wild state, over a very large extent of country in great vari- 

 ety, and growing to the tops of the highest trees, in the seOr 

 son of inflorescence filling the air with its perfume. 



In America, we cultivate, generally, two species of the 

 grape, the Vitis vinefera, which is the type of what we call 

 the European varieties ; and the Vitis labrusca, — of this spe- 

 cies are the Isabella and Catawba, native sorts. 



The grape has been cultivated in all ages, and held in high 

 estimation. The generally-received opinion of the manner of 

 its introduction into Europe, is, that it made gradual ap- 

 proaches by the way of the Mediterranean Sea, the Phoeni- 

 cians first carrying it to the islands there, from whence it 

 spread into Italy, Spain, France, and Portugal, and thence 

 north through France, Switzerland, England, &c. &c. ; from 

 all these countries we have received varieties of this species. 

 It lives to a great age, and forms wood capable of being ser- 

 viceable in the arts. The cultivation of the grape, in its 

 northern extent, is not confined to a certain parallel of lati- 

 tude. It has been observed in Europe, that, as you go east, 



