890 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



tlie Devereaux; but the latter is claimed as a native. 

 Another variety, the Delaware county, which is claimed 

 to be identical with the Traminier, a European grape, is 

 found to do well at Cincinnati ; the identity of the two 

 is however disputed. All the foreign grapes succeed well 

 both north and south in cold graperies, i. e. under glass 

 without fire-heat. 



Vines, both native and foreign, attain great age ; some 

 of the latter are known to have lived three hundred years, 

 and how long they were planted before the record began 

 is not known. Vines, three feet in circumference, are not 

 uncommon in Europe and America. 



The grape is a cooling and refreshing fruit of the high- 

 est excellence ; green, it is used for pies and tarts ; when 

 ripe, it is nutritious and medicinal. It is used in cases of 

 dysentery, t)eing diuretic and laxative, allaying thkst and 

 reducing heat ; it is also employed in pulmonary disorders. 

 It is a most agreeable dessert fruit-, and is likewise used 

 for preserving, jellies, &c. The dried fruit or raisins are 

 employed extensively for the dessert, and in many prepa- 

 tions of cookery. The leaves are an elegant garnish to 

 other table fruits; but the chief product of the grape is 

 wine, which is superior to that made of any other fruit. 

 That derived from the pure juice of the grape " is in all 

 cases of langour and prostration of strength, and in the 

 convalescence from protracted fever, the most grateful and 

 efficacious cordial known." In a state of health, however, 

 the highest medical authorities tell us that " it, at least, is 

 useless, if not absolutely pernicious." 



The wine of the grape is superior to that of any other 

 fruit, because its acid, (the tartaric,) is insoluable in alco- 

 hol, hence as the must ferments and alcohol is formed, the 

 acid suspended in the juice subsides, and combined with 

 potash also in the juice, settles in the lees. Thus tho 



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