THE GRAPE. 161 



Vines of the Isabella, and some other hardy va- 

 rieties, may be trained on trees ; and having thus 

 much space for growth, will in a few years bear 

 large crops. They may thus cover shade trees on 

 the farm, being protected while young from sheep 

 and cattle. L. B. Langworthy of Rochester, had a 

 single vine of the Isabella, ten years old, thus 

 trained, which yielded from ten to fifteen bushels a 

 year. 



VARIETIES. These may be divided into two dis- 

 tinct kinds. The first includes the American har- 

 dy grapes, some of the best of which are varieties 

 of the Vitis Labrusca; the second contains the 

 exotic grapes, or varieties of the Vitis vinifera. 



I. AMERICAN HARDY GRAPES. 



Isabella. A luxuriant grower, and a great and 

 uniform bearer. Fruit slightly oval, about five- 

 eighths of an inch in diameter, sweet, slightly 

 musky, high flavored and delicious. In short and 

 unfavorable seasons, it does not fully ripen in the 

 more northern parts of the United States. The 

 Alexander much resembles it, but is sourer and in- 

 ferior in flavor. 



York Madeira. Smaller, earlier, and hardier 

 than the Isabella, and free from its pulpy core and 

 muskiness ; it is hence preferred by some. In 

 growth and leaf, it is precisely similar, but smaller 

 in size. 



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