GRAPE-VINES. 199 
and give collective sketches of the qualities and proper- 
ties of the most hardy, as follows: 
THE ISABELLA GRAPE-VINE. 
The Isabella grape variety possesses great vigor of 
growth and is an abundant fruit-bearer. It flourishes as 
far north as New York, and produces large, dark-purple, 
juicy berries of an oval form and musky flavor. It 
thrives best in a moderately rich, loose, and moist soil, 
free from alkali, salts, or other impurities; generally, 
cleared wood-land with an aspect inclined towards the 
South or East, sheltered from the wind and shaded from 
the intense heat of the sun, is well fitted for its growth. 
The region of the maize or Indian-corn crop may be re- 
lied on as being well suited to the production of this 
grape. Its range of thrift extends along the Atlantic 
coast, and west, beyond the Rocky Mountains, as far 
north as the forty-ninth degree of latitude. ‘The most 
favorable season for planting this variety is near the end 
of February in the Southern States, and about the first 
of April in Pennsylvania and New York.” 
THE CATAWBA GRAPE. 
This vine was originally obtained from the banks of 
the Catawba River, and is an abundant fruit-producer. 
Its berries are large, and occur in loose bunches of a 
beautiful appearance, varying in color and flavor accord- 
ing to the degree of shade and sunshine to which they 
are subjected during development. The effect of the 
sun produces a bluish-purple color on those fully sub- 
jected to its influence, while the berries which grow par- 
tially or entirely in the shade vary in color from a lilac 
hue to a translucent white. The Catawba grape is an 
early variety, is much esteemed as a table fruit, and is 
considered one of the most popular for winter use and 
long keeping. 
