O M THE 
AGE AND STATURE OF THE VINE; 
DURABILITY OF VITIGINOUS WOOD. 
T here is no part of the Hiflory of the Vine fo aftonifh- 
ing as that of its age and flature : Of all the various 
kinds of fruit-bearing trees that endure the climate of this 
ifland, the Vine is the moil unlikely to exceed in either of 
thefe particulars. Without the afliftance of man, and the aid 
and fupport of fome other tree, the Vine certainly would be of 
a very humble growth ‘‘j for indeed the idea one forms of a 
Y Vine- 
® “ Grapes are not only fpontaneous in Carolina-, but in all tlie Northern parts 
“ of America, from the latitude of 25 to 45 ; the woods are fo abundantly re- 
“ pleniihed with them, that in fome places, for many miles together, they cover 
“ the ground, and are an impediment to travellers, by entangling their horfes 
“ feet with their trailing branches ; and lofty trees are over-top’d and wholly 
“ obfcured by their embraces. From which indications one would conclude, 
“ that thefe countries were as much adapted for the culture of the Vine as 
“ Spain and Italy, which lie in the fame latitude. Yet by the eVortsthat have 
been hitherto made in Virginia and Carolina, it is apparent that they are 
not blefTed with that clemency of climate, or aptitude for making wine, as 
the 
