which gradually became species, as well as the branches which also became species by natural 

 variation, by being carried to widely differing conditions of soil and climate, and those that may 

 have come by "mutation," or rather by reversion to some former type, according to the 

 Mendellian law. 



Wanting the chronology and actual genealogy, we try to infer it as nearly as possible from 

 the similarities in forms of the different parts of individuals of the different species and especially 

 from biological similarities, as in periods of leafing, flowering, ripening, casting of leaves, adapta- 

 bility to certain climates, altitudes, soils, similarity in flavor, relative ease of growing from cuttings, 

 texture, lines of distribution in nature, fixity and uniformity of type, etc. Though we cannot 

 expect to more than approximate the chronological order of development, yet any approximation 

 in classification is far better upon which to base practical viticulture, than a purely artificial 

 arrangement. 



In order to well understand the full scope of the phrase "Improvement of American Grapes," 

 we must have a clear idea of the kinds and character of the wild grapes which are native in the 

 United States, and in what regions, locations and conditions they grow. 



Hence, some tangible presentation of the different species is necessary to comprehend their 

 relationships, and why they should be classified one way rather than another, but that would 

 require more space than can be allowed here, so we must make it suffice by presenting some 

 engravings of typical specimens of the species best adapted to be used as first parents in crossing 

 and hybridizing to get varieties profitable in practical vineyard culture ; and to show by skeleton 

 or outline classifications how the species have been found by critical study to be related, without 

 attempting to prove such relationships. 



At this point, a careful study of all the plates is suggested. 



The seeds, Plate I., are shown arranged in groups, designated as Series, according to natural 

 relationships, as nearly as it is possible to do so, after years of critical study of all the species 

 side by side. 



The species in each series are much more nearly allied to the other species shown in the same 

 series, than to species in any other series, not only in botanical character, but in habits of growth, 

 flowering, fruiting, and soil and climatic adaptation, hence the recognition of these relationships 

 is of much practical importance in vine culture, especially to the intelligent originator of varieties. 



As to the relationships of the series to each other, there is much more division of opinion 

 among botanists, and it is of less practical application. 



Plate I. was arranged in 1892, since when I have found a slight change in relative position 

 of species, which aids systemization, as will be seen by comparing Plate I. with the outline scheme, 

 next to be presented. 



With the above considerations in view, a tree-like form of synopsis of classification would 

 best represent the genus, and I suggest the outline grouping of species to be found on page 24. 



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