Retrospective Criticism. 69 



[When we made the remark above referred to, we had just been tasting 

 the Herbemont Madeira, and, without looking into the subject much, the 

 suggestion came into our mind that, as its origin was unknown, it might 

 possibly prove synonymous with that variety. We are convinced now that 

 it is quite a different grape. 



But in looking into several works to find the description of Herbemont's 

 Madeira, we, at the same time, examined carefully the description of other 

 sorts, as the unknown origin of the Ohio grape induced us to think it 

 might be synonymous with some other kind ; and after some considerable 

 time spent in this labor, even more than we well knew how to spare, we 

 believe we have ascertained that it is not a new variety, but an old grape 

 under a new name. Its true name we believe to be Norton's Virginia 

 seedling, itself a superior fruit ; and we will briefly state the reasons 

 which have guided us in coming to this conclusion. 



1st. The similarity of the description of the Ohio grape, and the Nor- 

 ton seedling. 



By a reference to Mr. Longworth's communication in our last volume 

 (VIII p. 167,) it will be seen that the Ohio grape is described as "per/ec<- 

 ly hardy, a fine hearer, never has the mildeic or rot, and the bunches very 

 large, say four times as big as the Burgundy.''^ In addition to this descrip- 

 tion, Mr. Longworth names above, one character of the Ohio grape as dif- 

 ferent from all others, viz : its peculiar red wood. We will now compare 

 this description witli two descriptions of the Virginia seedling : the iirst 

 from Prince's Treatise on the Vine and the second from Kenrick's Orchard- 

 ist, the latter in Mr. Norton's own words. 



'■'^JVorton''s Virginia Seedling. — This distinct variety owes its origin to 

 Dr. D. N. Norton of Virginia. ... It was raised from seed of the 

 Bland, which fructifies in the vicinity of the Meunier or Miller^s Burgundy ; 

 there exists, consequently, some probability that it is a hybrid between th£se 

 two. . . . The shoots are strong and vigorous and of a red color. 

 The vine resists the cold of the most severe winters, never failing to pro- 

 duce fruit and that mos^/^rq/'useZ?/, thriving even without pruning. . . . 

 The fruit is of the darkest purple or black color, and ripens in September. 

 The bunches are usually eight or nine inches long, and weigh about a 

 quarter of a pound each : the berries are round and a little flattened at 

 the end, andabotd the size of the Meunier (or Burgundy). In conclusion, 

 Dr. Norton remarks that " for the purpose of making wine this is hardly 

 to be excelled by any foreign variety." — (Treatise on the Vine, pp. 186, 



" This very superior grape was originated by Dr. Norton of Magnolia, 

 one mile from the city of Richmond in Va. The fruit is below medium 

 size ; fiiie as a table grape and most excellent for wine. Through the kind- 

 ness of Dr. Norton, I am favored with a full account of this grape, which 

 I subjoin in his own words. 



" Produced by artificial impregnation from the Bland and Meunier. Fo- 

 liage somewhat resembling the Bland. The shoots are of a red color, 

 hardy, and resisting the greatest degree of cold which happens in any por- 

 tion of the Union : thriving with little care, and never failing to produce 

 abundant crops of fruit, which has not within the last 15 years been known 

 to mildew or rot. . . . Bunches 9 <o 10 mc/ies ZoJig", sometimes shoul- 

 dered and moderately compact. In regard to its earliness, Dr. Norton 

 further remarks that, " in whatever climate the Indian corns mature their 



