108 
AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
surprising that in this country nothing is now being done in the direct 
hybridization of vinifera with any of the American species. However, new 
varieties are constantly appearing which are known to be descended either 
wholly or in part from some vinifera hybrid, or which are chance seedlings 
resembling known vinifera hybrids in certain well marked characteristics. 
Time is needed to demonstrate whether satisfactory progress may be made 
more rapidly by breeding this class of plants rather than by giving attention 
wholly to plants having no vinifera blood. Granting that their good qualities 
may be maintained and the undesirable features eventually bred out, it may 
still be considered an open question whether it would not be better to hold 
strictly to vines of purely American origin. Indeed there are strong reasons 
for thinking that permanent advance may be made more rapidly by breeding 
only from grapes of purely American origin, thus avoiding altogether the 
weaknesses which are inherent in the exotic vinifera. While we may not 
thus succeed in producing a grape combining with the size of the Concord 
the beauty and high quality of the Delaware, yet by following such a 
course we shall bring nearer to perfection the peculiar types of grapes which 
grow naturally in this country, and by ameliorating their harsher features 
and developing their good qualities, eventually produce fruit which shall be 
acceptable in the markets of the world, distinct in type from the grapes now 
found in foreign markets and which shall be produced as cheaply as the Con- 
cord. As the improvement of the grape progresses, the varieties which 
survive the process of selection will naturally be those wnich are best 
adapted to the local environment and the market demands. In this way the 
different grape regions will doubtless develop quite different types of fruit 
each having its peculiar merits. It is not at all probable that any other 
Variety will ever hold the unique position of superiority over so great an 
extent of territory as the Concord now does. In its place will be various 
types, each superior to Concord in fruit and each taking the lead for com- 
mercial purposes in a comparatively limited area ^ to which it is specially 
adapted. 
CULTIVATED NATIVE SPECIES. 
Several native species are represented in cultivation at the present time 
and still further accessions to the list will be made in the future. 
From Virginia southward varieties of the southern muscadine grape, such 
as Scuppernong and Thomas, are more and more coming into general cultiva- 
tion for wine making and home use. 
The Post Oak grape, V. aestivalis, var. Linseeomii, Bailey, is the parent of 
very promising varieties specially adapted to the southwest. Some of them 
also appear to be well adapted to the north. 
From Virginia and Missouri southward the types represented by Norton, 
Virginia and Herbemont find favor in many localities, especially for wine. 
By far the most important species liorticulturally is the Labrusca, the 
northern type being represented in cultivation by Concord and the southern 
type by Catawba. 
The Riverbank grape of the north V. vulpina L. ( riparia Mac.) has not yet 
given important table grapes, but some of its varieties are esteemed for wine. 
Clinton, Elvira and Empire State are descended wholly or in part from this 
species. The range of this species extends northward into Canada, Minne- 
sota and North Dakota. Professor Hansen informs me that the Janesville, 
a hybrid between riparia and Lalrusca has proved hardy in Dakota, where 
