THE GRAPE. 



121 



pores of it are stopped ; the consequence is. that an 

 impure matter is present which is imbibed by the 

 leaf, which contaminates the sap of the vine, and is 

 thence communicated to every part of it in a shorter 

 or longer period. I shall not pretend to prescribe 

 any remedy as a cure : but remind my reader that 

 good culture may, in a great measure, in this and 

 every other case of disease, be the best remedy : 

 for certain it is, that all kinds of vegetables are most 

 severely injured by disease when weakly, and the 

 more healthy they are, the less liable to be affected. 



Art. 9. — Select Varieties of Native Grapes. 



The native varieties best adapted for arbors, and 

 general culture that I am at present acquainted with, 

 are the Isabella and Cataicba. which are described 

 as follows in i; Kenrick's Orchardist." a work that 

 should be in the hands of every fruit grower. 



" Isabella. — This fine native grape is extraordina- 

 ry for the vigor of its growth, and wonderful pro- 

 ductiveness. The bunches are of a large size ; the 

 berries are large and of an oval form ; the color is 

 a dark purple, approaching to black, and covered 

 with bloom ; the skin is thin, with but little pulp : 

 the desh is juicy, rich, sweet and vinous. By hang- 

 ing the bunches in a room, it has been ascertained 

 that they lose that very small portion of muskiness 

 they possess. This grape makes excellent wine, 

 and requires no protection in this climate. 



** Cataicba. — This is an excellent grape for wine : 

 the bunches are of very handsome size and form, 

 and shouldered : the berries are a deep purple, next 

 the sun ; the skin is thin, juicy, sweet, rich and 



