and "Sweet Winter Grape" {V. cinerea), the latter penetrating and growing luxuriantly in the 

 lower bottoms, where the others were seldom found. Directly along the high banks of Red River 

 were found vines of the "Sand," or "Bush Grape" {V. Longii), drifted down from the Texas Pan- 

 Handle regions, where it grows in great profusion. Hybrids of it with the Mustang Grape are 

 often found along Red River. Occasionally are also found vines of the "Riverside Grape" 

 {V. vulpina, or riparia), along Red River banks. There were rarely found on the high bottoms 

 of Red River and larger creeks in this, Grayson County, when the writer came to the State, wild 

 vines of the "Southern Muscadine" {V. rotundifolia) , and this appears to be its western Umit of 

 distribution along Red River. Here were six or eight good species of wild grapes, several of 

 which had not been seen by me previously. I had found my grape paradise! Surely now, 

 thought I, "this is the place for experimentation with grapes!" 



It was soon learned from that veteran experimenter with, and writer on, grapes, Mr. Gilbert 

 Onderdonk, and by my own observations, that in all the Southwest, especially in the dry, hot 

 parts of Texas, the northern varieties of Labrusca and its hybrids with Vinif era, were subject to 

 many diseases, short-lived, and their fruit lasted only a short season in July. But here was a 

 profusion of native grapes, perfectly suited to the soils and climate; little attacked by disease, 

 and "what should hinder the selection, crossing and hybridizing with fine quaUty grapes?" was 

 the question of my mind. 



Thus was rekindled my passion for experimental work with grapes. 



Already, pretty familiar with what had been done by others in the improvement of our 

 native grapes, it seemed so inadequate to the needs and capabilities of the country, that I 

 determined to devote a portion of my time and ground to aid the study and development of 

 vine-culture in America. 



Special Study of Grape Botany Necessary 



It was at once apparent to me that a thorough botanical investigation of all species of our 

 wild grapes must be made before much valuable work in this field could be done. 



The characters and properties of each species must be learned ; the climatic and soil condi- 

 tions under which each thrives best; the climatic and soil conditions in general of the various 

 sections of country, so that varieties best suited to each may be produced, must be sought and 

 thoroughly studied. 



Such work requires long continued and extensive investigation. The pioneer originator 

 must travel much in the woods of every section where wild grapes grow, and study the habits; 

 search out and collect together the best varieties from every region and breed up their good 

 properties if he would most certainly produce varieties best adapted to those sections. 



At various times during the past thirty years, the writer traveled through forty of the 

 states and territories of the Union, never neglecting any opportunity to hunt and study the 

 wild plants, especially the grapes and other wild fruits. In these journeys not less than fifty 

 thousand miles were traveled by railway, and many hundreds on horseback and on foot, and 

 thousands of vines of nearly every species of American grape were studied growing in their 

 native habitats. 



Correspondence was had with botanists, vineyardists and other good observers in nearly 

 every state and territory. 



Botanical specimens and vines of all American and most of the Asiatic species were collected. 

 Seeds and plants of the best varieties were obtained of all these species and grown in experimental 

 vineyards. 



Critical Study of Grape Botany Taken Up 



The standard botanical classification of American grapes, at the time the study was begun 

 by the writer, was that of Dr. Geo. Engelmann. This, with most of the other works extant upon 



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