FLOWEKING SHRUBS 



where it is given the support of a trellis, or in any suitable 

 position where it can climb. I have even seen a dead tree 

 specially planted for such a purpose. 



Fox GRAPE Vitis Labrusca (L.). 



This is the original of the cultivated Isabella Grape, which 

 has long been introduced into our gardens and vineries as- 

 worthy of the attention of fruit growers. 



The leaves of this species are very densely woolly, covered, 

 especially when young, with tawny, silky hairs ; the fruit is. 

 of a dark purple, of a musky flavor, whence its common 

 name, Fox Grape. 



This Wild Grape is found on the shores of Lake Erie and 

 to the westward. From the improvement made by cultiva- 

 tion in the size and quality of the Wild Fox Grape we may 

 perceive how much might possibly be done with others of 

 our wild fruits, which when introduced into our gardens 

 would have the advantage of hardiness beyond that of 

 exotics in bearing the severity of our climate. It seems 

 reasonable to suppose that plants that are indigenous to a 

 country could, by due care, be brought to a state of higher 

 perfection than when under a foreign sun and soil, and that 

 the culture of wild plants would amply repay the cultivator. 

 Attempts of this kind are rarely made or persevered in, so 

 that the result is not often satisfactory; either the process 

 is thought to be too slow, or we despise as common that 

 which is within our reach, valuing that which is more costly 

 above what is easily obtained, whilst we eagerly spend our 

 money to obtain a foreign species, which may possibly have 

 been originally taken from our native woods and wilds to a 

 foreign country, there cherished and cared for, improved by 

 cultivation, and returned to us increased in value. It would 

 greatly enhance the pleasure of cultivation if we were our- 



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