152 NOMENCLATURE OP GRAPES. 



the vine is of very vigorous growth, and a great bearer, 

 and seems to suit our climate well, and to be very hardy ; the 

 fruit is oval, of a sprightly flavour, and the bunches large and 

 shouldered ; it is an excellent wine grape, but in this vicinity 

 ripens late, the period of maturity being at the end of Septem- 

 ber. Dr. Vandevere of this island, whose zeal in the vine 

 culture is well known, has had some extremely large bunches 

 of fruit from vines of this kind. 



VERDILHIO. PR. CAT. No. 110. 

 Verdelho. LOND. HORT. Soc. CAT. 



This is well known to be the grape which gives strength 

 and body to the wines of Madeira, and is generally considered 

 the best wine grape of that island. It may rather, in point of 

 ripening, be considered an early fruit. I received this, the 

 Nigrinho, the Tinta, and the Violet from a wine house of high 

 repute in Madeira, and they stated to me, that these were the 

 finest grapes known there for the making of wines. 



VIOLET MADEIRA. -PR. CAT. No. 108. 



This vine, which I received direct from Madeira, is one of 

 the most hardy I know of. It has withstood our severest win- 

 ters unprotected and uninjured. It is also very productive, and 

 the fruit is of a pleasant vinous flavour. 



This vine also suits the climate well in this vicinity, and 

 flourishes exceedingly in all seasons. I have never seen any 

 appearance of unthriftiness, or of inclination to mildew. I 

 consider it as a most valuable grape for vineyards, and I doubt 

 not his one of those which form the basis of the fine vineyards 

 of Madeira. 



Thomas McCall, Esq. of Georgia, stated to me that a vine 

 which he received from me of this kind, made a shoot in one 

 season eighteen feet long fifteen feet of which was perfect 

 wood and the remainder immature. He also stated to me that 

 lie considered it a beautiful fruit, and that he deems it a superior 



