22 Labrusca. 



BUSHBERG CATALOGUE. 



^Estivalis. 



of this species, thus classi- 



[6] Southern Group. 

 ADIEONDAC, 

 CASSADY, 

 CATAWBA, 

 DIANA, 

 IONA, 

 ISABELLA, 

 ISKAELLA, 

 LYDIA, 

 MAXATAWNY, 

 MILES, 

 MOTTLED, 

 PRENTISS (new), 

 REBECCA, 

 TO-KALON, 

 UNION VILLAGE. 



The principal varieties 

 fied, are : 



[a] Northern Group. 

 BLACK HAWK, 

 CONCORD, 

 COTTAGE, 

 DEACDT AMBEE, 

 EABLY VICTOE (new), 

 HAETFOBD PEOLIFIC, 

 IVKS, 

 LADY, 

 MAETHA, 

 MOOEE'S EAELY, 

 NORTHERN MUSCADINE, 

 PERKINS, 

 RENTZ, 

 TELEGRAPH, 

 VENANGO, 

 VERGENNES (new), 

 WOEDEN'S. 



This subdivision of Labrusca into a northern and 

 southern form is a new idea of our own, and may be a 

 mistake. It was presented for the first time in our Cat- 

 alogue, not as an established fact, already accepted or 

 endorsed by any botanical authority, but as an hypoth- 

 esis worthy of consideration and further research. In 

 some few varieties (Creveling, North Carolina, &c.) we 

 as yet find it difficult to determine to Avhich group 

 they should be assigned ; but this difficulty also exists 

 in some with regard to the species. 



The large size of the fruit, the vigor and productive- 

 ness of the vine, and its easy propagation from, cuttings, 

 made the varieties of this species preferable to others for 

 hybridizing with European grapes; and it was expected 

 to thereby ameliorate, if not to remove, their foxiness. 

 While this improvement in flavor has been thus accom- 

 plished, the process has diminished the hardiness and 

 has increased the sensitiveness to climate and to fun- 

 goid diseases in the varieties thus produced. It has 

 proven far more successful to grow seedlings from pure 

 Labrusca varieties, selecting the best, as in Early Vic- 

 tor, Pocklington, &c., or seedlings from crosses between 

 the coarser and more tender varieties of this species, as 

 the Niagara (cross between Concord and Cassady), the 

 Jefferson (cross between Concord and lona). Moreover 

 the much decried "foxy taste" becomes much less ob- 

 jectionable by habit. Lovers of the Concord and of 

 the Catawbafind the Chasselas insipid, and even Euro- 

 peans learn to eat the foxy grape with pleasure. 



The hardy varieties of the Labrusca are also excel- 

 lent as a grafting-stock for its own tender varieties, and 

 for those of the Vinifera, in locations suitable to this 

 species. They were largely imported for this purpose 

 into southern France, but in some localities there they 

 did not prosper ; the conditions of soil and climate 

 did not suit them, and were far more suitable to the 

 Riparia; hence it was supposed by some, and soon re- 

 peated by others, both grape-culturists and botanists, 

 that the Labrusca, though exhibiting a larger degree of 

 resistance than the V. Vinifera, suffers from the insect 

 (the Phylloxera). This, however, is incorrect. Even 

 the most tender Labr. varieties, whose enfeebled roots, 

 caused by their mildew-diseased tops, look as if de- 

 stroyed by the insect, revive during favorable seasons 

 and again become vigorous and fruitful as no Phyl- 



loxera-infested vine ever does. We have seen very fine 

 and healthy Catawba and Isabella vines in full bear- 

 ing, in phylloxera-infested localities of France. We 

 could quote hundreds of testimonials proving our posi- 

 tion. For want of space let the following suffice : 



From the official report of the Commission on American 

 Vines signed by MM. Lespiault, Pres't; Piola, Vice 

 Pres't ; Laftte, Sec. ; and by such members, well known 

 in the scientific world, as Millardet, Skavinshi, Debruck, 

 &c. to the International Phylloxeric Congress, held 

 at Bordeaux, Oct., 1882. 



''It is almost useless to insist on the resistance of the 

 American vines. It cannot any longer be contested. 

 Everywhere the proofs thereof are numerous. While 

 the French vines succumb, the American vines, planted 

 from 10 to 15 years ago, present a vegetation of perfect 

 health. Even the LABEUSCA, reputed as less resistant 

 the Concord, for instance are still largely cultivated 

 by certain wine-growers, MM. Guirand, Moline, Lu- 

 got, the Duchess of Fitz-James, &c., who are well satis- 

 fied with them." 



VITIS ^ESTIVALIS. This species is preeminently the 

 WINE grape of the South Atlantic States, and of the low- 

 er Mississippi Valley and Texas. Owing to the fact that 

 none of the varieties except the Elsinburgh and Eumelan 

 will ripen north of the parallel of 40, unless it may be 

 in some peculiarly favored situation,* they have not 

 been extensively planted, and their superior qualities 

 are but little known. The berries are destitute of pulp, 

 and the juice contains a larger percentage of sugar 

 than any other improved American species. The foli- 

 age is not so liable to disease as that of the fox grape, 

 and in the berries rot is also less prevailing, while in 

 some varieties of this class, as Norton's Va. and Cyn- 

 thiana, it is comparatively unknown. Some of the best 

 wines made in this country are produced from varie- 

 ties of this family. ' ' Requiring a long season and ge- 

 nial climate for their perfection, they have not yet been 

 extended so widely as the varieties of Vitis Labrusca. 

 Their range of successful growth not reaching into 

 high latitudes, their culture has been limited," ex- 

 cepting Norton's Va. Seedling, of which hundreds of 

 acres are now planted around Gordonsville and Char- 

 lotteville, Va. "I am convinced that neither the wine- 

 producing capabilities of the country nor the highest 

 excellence of the product can be decided until vine- 

 yards of these varieties are established in the best loca- 

 tions of favorable climates." Wm. Saunders. 



" The most genial home of this species is the coun- 

 try of the Ozark hills, Missouri, S. Kansas, Arkansas, 

 Texas and Indian Territory ; probably also the moun- 

 tain slopes in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennes- 

 see. And these must be looked upon as the great 

 producing regions of this continent, east of the Rocky 

 Mountains, for a certain class of fine wines. In western 

 Texas, also, the varieties belonging to this class seem 

 'to succeed better than any other class of grapes,' 



* Their proper climate is south of the isotherm of 70 

 Fahrenheit for June, July, August and September; they 

 require a longer season to attain maturity. The more 

 tender varieties may be properly placed between the 

 isothermal lines of 70 and 75*. [Isothermal lines denote 

 localities of equal mean temperature, and, by careful 

 observation, have been delineated upon maps indicat- 

 ing the various belts of climate, the limits where certain 

 important plants thrive, by far more accurately .than 

 by zones and geographical degrees. The latter have 

 long been in vogue, but have really no place in nature. X 



