Grapes and Grape-Cidtiire. 17 



ing, and only well suited to localities where the Catawba and Diana will 

 ripen. In Southern Illinois and Missouri, it has been found valuable both 

 as a table and wine grape. 



Among the black grapes, I place the Adirondac in this class, on account 

 of its very early growth in spring, which renders it unsuited to all locations 

 subject to frost late in spring. It is among the first to show foliage and 

 fruit-blossoms ; and the latter have been destroyed here for four successive 

 years, and only gave fruit the present season by reason of an unusual free- 

 dom from frost the past spring. It is also, in some sections, subject to mil- 

 dew, and quite tender in winter. A slow grower while young ; but moder- 

 ately vigorous, healthy, and quite productive, as the vines have age. A 

 grape of good quality as a table-grape, remarkably free from pulp ; juicy, 

 pleasant, and sprightly, but not very rich or sweet. In its general habit of 

 growth and foliage, it is of the Isabella type, but less hardy and vigorous. 



Herbemont and Lincoln are much alike in foliage, and general habit 

 of growth. They may be distinguished, however, by the difference in ap- 

 pearance of the young wood. That of the Herbemont has a brownish-gra\- 

 appearance, and is eovered with a peculiar light-purplish bloom ; while the 

 wood of the Lincoln is of a handsome red-brown color, without bloom. 

 The fruit-bunches of the Herbemont, however, are larger, and the vine ap- 

 parently more productive, but too late in ripening for the North. The 

 Lincoln ripens earlier ; and I think both it- and the Lenoir will succeed 

 wherever the Diana or lona will ripen. They are here not quite as hardy 

 in winter as the Diana, but fully as much so as the lona. The Lenoir 

 differs from the Lincoln principally in its foliage, which is rather coarser, 

 somewhat angular, and nearly entire, not deeply lobed like that of the 

 Lincoln. In size of bunch and berry, they are only of small or medium 

 size, black, usually compact, almost pulpless, and rather acid till fully 

 matured ; when they become sweet, juic}', and rich, with a peculiarly pleas- 

 ant, spicy, vinous flavor. 



The Alvey apparently belongs to the same class, but differs in growth 

 and foliage from all the others. The wood is of a dull, dark-gray color, 

 stout and short-jointed ; canes rather short ; foliage abundant, and some- 

 what of the Clinton character, but thicker; very little inclined to mildew, 

 and the earliest ripening and hardiest of its class. Bunches and berries 



VOL. V. 3 



