6 
N. C. Agricultural Experiment Station 
The varieties of this species are also remarkably free from insect 
attacks. It is well known that this species is more resistant to the 
dreaded root louse, known as Phylloxera, than any other American 
species of grape; in fact investigations by European experts have shown 
that it is so seldom and so slightly attacked by this insect that the 
injury caused is practically negligible. So far as we can ascertain the 
Cane Borer and the Boot-worm have never attacked this species of 
grape. 
One of the most valuable characters of this grape is its tardy bloom¬ 
ing season in the spring of the year. By this means very few, if any, 
of the flowers are nipped by the much dreaded late spring frosts. In 
central North Carolina growth does not begin until all danger of dam¬ 
aging frosts is passed, and the first blossoms do not open until the latter 
part of May. As far as we can ascertain, no injury to this grape has 
ever been caused by late spring frosts, even during the most unfavorable 
seasons on record. The importance of this can be appreciated when 
we realize that many fruits, including the important labrusca and their 
hybrid grapes, commence growth, and bloom, very early in the warmer 
sections of the South, and are often severely injured by the late frosts. 
Another valuable character of plants of this species is their remark¬ 
able longevity. No cultivated variety of the other American species 
of grapes can compare with them in this respect. Some of the Scup- 
pernong vines still living and bearing good crops of fruit were undoubt¬ 
edly planted years before any of the leading varieties of Vitis labrusca 
were brought into cultivation. In Eastern North Carolina can be found 
many Seuppernong vines with trunks more than a foot in diameter; and 
occasionally one more than two feet in diameter. 
The period of ripening of the various varieties of this species is a 
long one, lasting from three to four weeks. By planting some of the 
very earliest, mid-season, and late varieties fresh fruit can be had in 
Eastern North Carolina from August until early November. This is 
of considerable importance for the home fruit garden, since at that 
time of the year, in this region, there is a scarcity of other fruits. It 
is also of importance to the wine maker to have the fruit of the later 
varieties at a season when the hottest weather of the year is over. 
Where there is a scarcity of labor this long ripening season is of value 
since it gives plenty of time for gathering the fruit. 
NEED OF IMPBOYEMENT. 
In some respects this rotundifolia species is the most unique of 
American grapes. Undoubtedly it possesses the most remarkable com¬ 
binations of exceptionally good characters and extremely bad ones that 
can be found in any one species of grape. To emphasize the need and 
importance of breeding and improvement work with this species, atten¬ 
tion may be called to some of its most grievous defects. 
One of the most undesirable characters that is found in almost all 
of the important varieties is the shelling of the berries from the clusters 
as soon as ripe. A slight wind, shaking the vine at picking, or even 
the weight of the fruit itself, will cause the berries to drop. This is 
notably true of the Seuppernong and the Thomas, two of the most 
