FLOWERING SHRUBS 
where it is given the support of a trellis, or in any suitable 
position where it can climb. I have even seen a dead tree 
specially planted for such a purpose. 
Fox Grare—Vitis Labrusca (L.). 
This is the original of the cultivated Isabella Grape, which 
has long been introduced into our gardens and vineries as 
worthy of the attention of fruit growers. 
The leaves of this species are very densely woolly, covered, 
especially when young, with tawny, silky hairs; the fruit is 
of a dark purple, of a musky flavor, whence its common 
name, Fox Grape. 
This Wild Grape is found on the shores of Lake Erie and 
to the westward. From the improvement made by cultiva- 
tion in the size and quality of the Wild Fox Grape we may 
perceive how much might possibly be done with others of 
our wild fruits, which when introduced into our gardens 
would have the advantage of hardiness beyond that of 
exotics in bearing the severity of our climate. It seems 
reasonable to suppose that plants that are indigenous to a 
country could, by due care, be brought to a state of higher 
perfection than when under a foreign sun and soil, and that: 
the culture of wild plants would amply repay the cultivator. 
Attempts of this kind are rarely made or persevered in, so 
that the result is not often satisfactory; either the process. 
is thought to be too slow, or we despise as common that 
which is within our reach, valuing that which is more costly 
above what is easily obtained, whilst we eagerly spend our 
money to obtain a foreign species, which may possibly have 
been originally taken from our native woods and wilds to a 
foreign country, there cherished and cared for, improved by 
cultivation, and returned to us increased in value. It would. 
greatly enhance the pleasure of cultivation if we were our- 
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