64 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



A wild grape vine about one mile north of Daphne, Alabama, is 

 called the "General Jackson Vine" because General Andrew Jack- 

 son twice pitched his tent under it during his campaign against 

 the Seminole Indians. This vine, in June, 1897, was reported to 

 have a circumference of 6 feet, 1 inch, at its base, and estimated 

 to be more than 100 years old. 



The "Mother Scuppernong Vine" on Roanoke Island, tradition 

 relates Amados and Barlow transplanted there from the main- 

 land on their first voyage in 1584. Doubtless there are native 

 vines much older. It is difficult to estimate the age of vines be- 

 cause the yearly growth is not distinctly marked. 



In extensive travels among vast numbers of native vines abound- 

 ing in our forests, I have never seen one that died from the effects 

 of old age. 



As old world history tells us of vines 600 years old, of vineyards 

 remaining good 300 years, and vines 100 years old being considered 

 young, it would appear there has not been time to ascertain the 

 age vines will attain in this country,, had Columbus started such 

 records when he landed in 1492. 



Beginning of a Commercial Industry. 



Summing up we find that as a real industry viticulture in this 

 country began to assert itself about the middle of last century in 

 all portions of the country where it is an industry now, and as such 

 is, therefore, as yet in its infancy. 



Nevertheless, unfermented juices, choice wines, dry and spark- 

 ling, are made from American grapes and a large table grape 

 industry has been developed in the Eastern States, whilst the Pacific 

 Coast has entered into direct competition with the choicest Euro- 

 pean wines and other grape products, has captured the raisin 

 market of this country, and is developing a fine trade for Vinifera 

 table grapes. The efforts of Adlum, Longworth, and others were 

 followed by others, especially in New York, Ohio, Missouri, Vir- 

 ginia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, the Carolinas, 

 and Michigan. In California where the Mission had so far been 

 the only variety cultivated the choicest Vinifera varieties for all 

 purposes are grown. 



