UMASS/AMHERST 2066 0333 2841 7 Wm. R. Prince & Co. Prince's descriptive catalogue of foreign and native. Special Collection SB 115 W6 P75 1859 Hollinger Corp. pH8.5 X r^^i;t^^Ky' '^ S AUTUMN 1859 AND SPRING 1860. PRINCE'S OF FOREIGN AND NATIVE GRAPE VINES, FOK '^ GARDENS, GRAPERIES, AND VINEYARDS, WITH REMARKS ON THE[R CULTURE. WM. R. PRINCE & CO., Liune^an Botanic Garden and Nurseries, FLUSHlNa, near New York. "The vine, too, here her curling tendrils shoots Hangs out her clusters glowing to the South, And scarcely wishes for a warmer sky." FORTY-FOURTH EDITION. TilANSPLa.JfriNG AND FOR WARDING GRAPE VINES, Grape Vines can be safely transplanted from the first of October to May ; and no class of plants is more retentive of vitality, or more sure to succeed. During Winter we keep a stock planted in cellars, ready for immediate transplanting. Es'ery variety is accurately labeled, and carefuU}' packed, and the packages forwarded by K.\press, or otherwise, as requested, and a receipt taken from the Transportation Co. and forwarded to the purchaser with the invoice. Remit- tances can be made by check through the mail, but Bank Notes should be sent by Express. Books Recommended — Allen's "Practical Treatise on the Culture of the Grape;" Prince's " Treatise on the \'me,"^(inpreparatio}i,) $1. i^cS^^^S^ UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AT AMHERST UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Special Collections & Rare Books * *"**.. % PREFATORY REMARKS. The present Descriptive Catalogue, although very full and complete in many departments is -unply a business publication; it being the intention of the writer to publish a "General Treatise on the Vine hereafter. ^ ^ lai iieauje It is divided into two sections — First, A Priced Catalogue of all the Foreign and American Varieties .S'ccowd'— Descriptions of Foreign and American Varieties The prominent object to which public attention is now called, is Vmemrd culture, for which purpose none but the Indigenous spec.es and varieties, of a perfectly rustic character, are Lpvo- priate--they alone possessing the hardihood and the freedom from mildew and from otW objections which apply invariably to every Foreign variety, and, so far as yet proven to every American variety grown from the seed of the tender and feeble Vitis mnifera No greater blight could be inflicted on our prospective Vineyard Culture, than the recom- mendatic,n for that object of such feeble and unthrifty Vines as the Delaware Rebecca cZZ Emi y, Brinckle, Ac. The failures which would inevitably result from suchTn udieiou seleSfonJ would occasion such discouragement to Cultivators, that American Wine-Culture would be thTwn back ten years at least. These varieties, though possessed of nearly all the desirable qualities that have been ascribed to them, are only adapted to special Garden culture, where they can be Sture ""^ ""^ protected trellises, but they will never succeed in open unprotected field la the Selections to be made of Varieties for the Table, and for the Vineyard it would be unreasonabb to expect that the qualities most desirable for each of these purposes could be found combined in the same fruit, when they are so very dissimilar. The largest, most tender sweet and n.e ting varieties are desired for the dessert, whereas it is those least sweet, but most brisk sprightly and aromatic, and often those quite austere and astringent, that yield the choicest wines' Furthermorer there IS no celebrated Wine grape of large size, they all bein| quite small or medium a tact that can be rationally expjained. ^^um, Acclimcdion.—ln this regard there exist very erroneous views. No Plant or Animal has ever been acclimated in the existing race by any change of location, such amelioration attaches only to their progeny, beminal reproduction can alone effect any such change, and then only gra.dually- through succeeding generations. This results from a great natural Law, bv which everV Animal, Tree, or Plant, partakes in a degree of the character of the climate and soil where it is generated. The accliniatiou and improvement of the Persian Grape (Vitis vinikera) to its present condition 111 trance has been a labor of 2000 years, and to render it hardy and vigorous enough to sustain our climate (it such a result were possible), would require at least another 1000 years What folly, then, would it be for us to look to the feeble productions of incongeni'al climes as the hopeful parents of a hardy and vigorous progeny suitable to withstand tiie rigors of an \mer lean winter and the peculiarities of our summer climate. Should we not rather look to the robust and vigorous species of the Vine which God himself has planted everywhere in the American forest, and which spring up wildly thronghout every region of our country, mounting the loftiest trees, and spreading their tendrils far and wide When the Deity m his wisdom placed only one species of the Vine in the Eastern Hemisphere and planted eight species in ^ orth America, shall we question His intelligence, as thus manifested, by a disreo-ard to the rich treasure he has thus imparted to us ! Or shall we not rather seek, by the seminal'iiro ductions which must result from our superior advantages, to obtain new and exquisite varieties of the grape which shall surpass in size, beauty and flavor, and especially in hardihood and robust character, all which Europe has yet been able to present either in the shape of fruit for the dessert, or in that of the most delicious and exhilarating Wines? " ' It is now about forty years since Wm. Prince named and introduced the Isabella Grape to public '"!'«"■ 1 fu ) 'r ''"''tT* .? ^"PP^^^'^ ^« be of Southern origin, but our investigations have since satistied us that it is a Northern Vine and a native of this State. In the year 1830 Wm R Prince aided l>y Wm Prince, published "A Treatise on the Vine," a volume of 355 pages'octavo, in which he demonstrated the fact that "God has pre-eminently stamped our country as the land of the Vine" He urged most ardently upon his countrymen the immediate formation of extensive Vineyards, 2 PREFATORY R E IM A R K S . for the attaiiinieut of three objects : First — To increase the national wealth by superseding the vast importation of adulterated wines and alcoholic mixtures. Secondly — ^To furnish a cheap and innocent domestic bevtrage with the gently exhilarating qualities given to the juice of the grape by the Creator. Thirdly — That the universal adoption of a pure beverage, restorative of physical and mental exliau>tion, might have the same opportunity here of producing the result universal in the wine-producing countries of Europe, viz., the extinction of intemperance as a national charac- teristic. But our country was not then prepared to appreciate and adopt this important branch of Agricultural Industry. At the Third Session of the American Pomological Society, held at Boston in 1854, Wm. R. Prince introduced the following resolutions: — liesolved. That we appreciate the wisdom and beneficence of the Creator in placing within tiie bovmdaries of our country eight distinct species and innumerable varieties of the Grape, thus pro- viding means for the resuscitation of the human system by the most delicious fruits and gently exhilarating beverages. Resolved, TJiat, while we deprecate the use of all alcoholic liquids and of the adulterated wines which are poured upon our shores from the Eastern hemisphere, we cannot refrain from urging upon Americans the general culture of the Grape, and the formation of extensive vineyards, in order thereby to diminish importations, increase the national wealth, and, above all, to furnish an aiuple supply of pure American Wines as the inost sovereit/n preventioe of Intemperance. Pkickd Catalogues, which are sent to purchasers of Trees, and to applicants who enclose stamps: — No. 1, Descriptive Catalogue of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, and Plants. No. 2, Roses, Carnations, Chrysanthemums, Phlox, Iris, Double Sweet Williams, and all o(her Herbaceous Flowering Plants, are Alexander. Cape of Good Hope, ) Carter, is To Kalon. Devereux, is Lenoir. Herbemont's Madeira, is Herbemont. Honey, is Raabe. Hudson's Seedling, is White Isabella. Kilburne AVine, is Kilbourn. Kirtland, is Winslow. Lawi'ence's Seedling, is Isabella. Lehman, is Catawba. Lincoln, is Lenoir, Longworth's Ohio, is Jack Grape. Madison, } j Madison County, \ °' Mathew's Seedling, is Early Isabella. Milbourn, is Kilbourn. Miner's, or Minor's Seedling, is Venango. Muncy, is Catawba. North Carolina Seedling, is Maryann. Ohio, is Jack Grape, Ohio Segar Box, is Jack Grape. Paign's, or Payne's Isabella, is old Isabella. Peters, is Isabella. Powell, is Bland. Porter, from New Haven, proved Potter. Ramsdale, is Ramsdell. Rhenish, from two nurseries pi-oved Isabella. Rothrock, is Alexander. Schuylkill, ^ Schuylkill iladeira, '. , , , Schuylkill Muscadine, |^ ""''' Alexander. Schuylkill Muscadel, J Segar-Box, is Jack Grape. Shaker, or Shaker's Seedling, is Union Village. Spafford's Seedling, is To Kalon. Springstein, supposed to be Lenoir. Sumpter, ) ^ Thurmond, \ are Lenoir. Tenessee, is Venango. The Beautiful, is To Kalon. winne' \ *'"*' Alexander. WJnslow's Seedling, is Winslow. Wyman, is To Kalon. York Lisbon, is Alexander. DESCRIPTIONS OF SELECT FORWGN GRAPl^:S -CLASS I. Aleppo, Striped, medium, round, large cluster, berries white, black, and half of each color on the same cluster, sweet, sprightly, very productive, hardy, of easy culture. iagDSt Mnscat, deemed to be the earliest of grajies, small, black, ovate or roundish, musky, good flavor, the vine of weak growth. Bisbop, large, black, roundish, fine flavor, handsome, estimable. Black Cluster, small ovate, pleasant sprightly flavor, cluster small and very compact, early. hardy, suited to open culture on walls and trellises. Black Hamburg, very large, roundish, large clusters, much shouldered, sweet, rich, first quality, very productive, a mo.st popular variety, universally cultivated in Graperies and other- wise. Black July, earliest of all, small, round, black, cluster small and compact, pleasant sprightly flavor, productive. Black Lombardy, large, ovate, cluster large, .sweet, sprightly flavor, excellent quality, one of the best. Black Morocco, large, oval, dark red or violet, large cluster, sweet, good flavor. Black Mnscat of Alexandria, large, oval, musky, excellent flavor. It succeeds admirably when grown with the White and Cannon Hall Muscats, under heat ten degrees above that usual for the Hamburg and Chasselas varieties. Black Prince, large, ovate, cluster long and often shouldered, sweet, rich, productive, excellent quality. Black St. Peter, large, roundish, long cluster, first quality, ripens late, hiings long after maturity, requires powerful heat. Bowkcr, an American Seedling, large, white, ovate, large cluster, as handsome as White Hamburg, and of better quality, pleasant flavor, very productive. Bnckland Sweetwater, mueh resembles Gros Coulard, large, amber, delicious^, beautiful, cluster short and shouldered, compact, ripens earh'. Cliasselas de Fontainbleaa, medium, round, pale amber, sweet, very juicy, refreshing, excelleni, very productive in the grapery or against walls, a general favorite, .nndinore extensively cultivated than any other variety. Cliasselas Mnsqne, medium, I'ound, pale amber, very rich, high musk flavor, excellent. Cliasselas, Rose or Bed, medium, round, pale red, sweet, good flavor, very productive. Cliasselas, White, medium, round, loose cluster, sweet, good flavor, estimable but secondary to others of the same class. DESCRIPTIONS OF FOREIGN GRAPES. 9 De Candolle, large, rouud, purple, beautiful, cluster very large, sweet, good quality, very pro- ductive ; requires powerful heat to mature well. Deccan's Snperb, medium, oval, amber, fine flavor, requires great heat to become matured. Delaware, small, round, clear red, thin skin, not a trace of pulp or foxy flavor, seeds few and email, very sweet, rich and juicy, vinous and aromatic with a slight musk flavor similar to Chas- selas Musque and Red Frontignan ; excellent for table and wine; cluster small and compact; it makes delicious amber-colored wine ; vine hardy, but of very slender delicate growth like ^the Rebecca until the third year, after which it grows vigorously. It is not productive when young, but very fully so when it attains considerable size an"d age ; ripens the beginning of September,' two or three weeks before the Isabella. It requires to be protected by training it against a wall or house having a warm southern exposure, or on a trellis in a protected garden, and will then produce a perfect and abundant crop. It is as subject to weak and stinted growth and to mildew as any other foreign variety. This grape, has been widely disseminated as a true native variety, although the Germans in Ohio have from the first declared it to be the Red Traminer of the Rhenish vineyards. The writer (W. R. P.) having inspected the Vines at Delaware, Ohio, and elsewhere, has fully satisfied himself of its foreign origin. It appears to have been introduced to New Jersey by Mr. Provost, who emigrated from Switzerland, and brought this and other foreign Grapes with him. He cultivated these foreign vines only, as, at that time, no Native Grapes were regarded as suitable for vineyard culture. From Mr. P.'s ground, vines were carried by his brother-in-law to Chester county, Penn., where some are now found over twenty years old. Joseph Heath, formerly &a employe of Joseph Bonaparte at Bordentown, and now a resident of Delaware, Ohio, carried this vine from that garden to Delaware. Whether Bonaparte obtained his vines from Provost, or imported them direct from Europe is as yet unknown. If seedlings have been found similar, the seeds were undoubtedly dropped by birds, who are especially fond of its early small sweet berries. The foreign origin of this Grape is also fully established by the fact, that from all recent investigations, it combines every specific attribute of the Vitis vinifera, and that it possesses none whatever indicative of indigenous origin. Dr. Garber of Pa., decides positively that it is not a pure native. Saml. Walker, Esq., Ex- President of the Mass. Horticultural Society, in response to a letter in which I stated my views as here presented, says: — "All you say about the Delaware Grape, I believe will prove to be true; all my plants are very weak and the leaves full of mildew ; I think it will be a failure." Indeed, I have not seen any vines grown in open field culture that were not greatly affected by mildew, and this has also been the case in some protected gardens when on trellises. These facts, however, by no means detract from the great excellence and value of this exquisite bevry, but only serve to admonish us as to the extra care requisite for its success, and that we must view it as an appendage to the garden, and not as applicable to vineyard culture in this latitude. Esperiotte, small, round, dark purple, very large cluster, sprightly flavor, third quality; the vine hardy, vigorous growth, very productive, and suited to outdoor culture on walls and trellises. Early White Malvasia, or Early White Sweetwater, medium, round, pale amber, similar in quality to the Golden Chasselas, but ripens ten days earlier. It is so hardy that it will fruit well under outdoor culture on walls and trellises. Frankeudale, quite distinct from Black Hamburg, of less size and not equal in quality, cluster of similar size, and ripens at the same period. Frontignan, Black, medium, round, long cluster, rich, musky, excellent, productive, early. Frontignan, Grizzly, medium, round, gray, becoming red at maturity, medium-sized cluster, rich musky flavor, excellent, first quality, early, very productive. Frontignan, White, medium, round, pale amber, rather large cluster, sweet, musk flavor, excel- lent, ripens rather early with the Chasselas varieties, vine hardy, productive, and may be grown under open culture in this latitude. Gros Coalard, large and beautiful, thin skin, v/hite, delicious flavor, long clusters, a superior early variety of Chasselas. Lombardy, or Flamed Tokay, round, bright red, sweet, medium flavor, second quality, very large cluster, very productive. Maeready's Early White, medium, oval, thin skin, very juicy, fine flavor, hardy, productive. Mil! Hill Hamharg, large, purple, excellent flavor, ripens a month after Black Hamburg requires heat. Pitoiaston White Cluster, one of the largest and finest varieties of the Chasselas, round, amber, never cracks, ripens early, bunch medium, compact. There appears to be a spurious variety und^r this name. Portien noir, large, roundish, black, very handsome, peculiar flavor, much esteemed, very late. •' Portngaese Muscat, a variety of the White Muscat of Alexandria, but sets its fruit better and has more of the musk flavor, large, oval, pale amber, excellent. Prince Albert, or Sarbarosa, large, ovate, black, large-shouldered cluster, handsome, good flavor, npens late. 2 10 DESCRIPTIONS OF INDIGENOUS GRAPES. Regnier de Nice {erroneously Reine or Queen of Nice), large, oval, white shaded with rose color, very beautiful, large cluster, fine flavor. Red Traminer, small, roundish, rose-color, sweet aromatic, pleasant for dessert, cluster small and compact, vine very hardy, productive. An esteemed Wine and Table Grape on the Rhine and in Switzerland. RaMn de Calabre, large, round, white, large cluster, juicy, rich, musky flavor, excellent, valuable for hanging late. Royal Muscadine, White Nice or Xeres. These prove identical ; medium, round, amber, sweet, pleasant flavor, distinguished by its monstrous shouldered loose cluster from the true Chasselas varieties, the bunch often weighing four to six pounds ; vine of vigorous growth, good bearer, one of the hardiest of its class. Syrian White, very large, oval, immense cluster, firm, and when allowed to hang until fully matured, is very good, requires powerful heat to perfect its fruit. Tokay des Jardins, a beautiful variety of Chasselas, small, rose-colored, very sweet, rich Chas- selas flavor, very estimable. Verdelho, a Madeira grape, small, oval, white, finest quality, a great favorite, vine of strong growth, very productive. Victoria Hamburg, closely resembles the Black Hamburg, but appears to be an improved variety. Wllmot's Black Hamburg, very large, round, compressed, very black, quality variable, often fine. It must hang long after coloring in order to mature fully. White Bual, pale amber, obovate, compact cluster, good flavor, ripeus late. White Corinth. This is not the Sultana ; it is a small, white, seedless grape, in compact clus- ters, beautiful, sweet, very pleasant flavor. White Gascoigne, large, ovate, large compact cluster, shouldered, fine flavor. White Hamburg, large, oval, very handsome, large cluster, good, second quality in flavor. White Muscat of Alexandria, large, oval, pale amber, long loose branching cluster, crisp, sweet, highest aromatic musky flavor, ripens late. A most exquisite fruit. Cannon Hall Muscat is a variety of this, and the Tottenham Park and Portuguese Muscats greatly resemble it. White Ricssling, small, compact cluster, sweet, pleasant flavor, very productive, a celebrated Rhenish wine grape, and of easy outdoor culture here — being very hardy. White Chasselas, medium, round, loose cluster, sweet, good flavor, estimable, but secondary to others of the same class. White Tokay, medium, ovate, compact cluster, moderate size, sweet, perfumed, in flavor similar to the Golden Chassiilas, much esteenii^d, hardy, productive, and suited to open culture. Zinfardel (erroneously Zinfindal), full medium, round, black, thick bloom, very large, double- shouldered cluster, requires to hang long after coloring to perfect its maturity. DESCRIPTIONS OF AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GRAPES. Alexander (Penn.) known by many synonyms, medium nearly as large as Isabella, roundish, slightly oval, black with bloom, thick skin, juicy, fair flavor, tough pulp, dissolving when fully matured, then sweet and musky, cluster rather compact, sometimes a small shoulder; vine very hardy, suitable for the North, exceedingly vigorous, very productive, ripens 10th of September. Amanda, medium size, blackish purple with bloom, very juicj', vinous, melting pulp, little foxy flavor, sweet when fully ripe, very good, drops soon after maturity ; cluster small, vine hard}*, vigorous, very productive ; ripens last of August. Amber Catawba, size of its parent the Catawba, amber hue, sweet, slight musky aroma, mild, very agreeable for table, estimable for wine; ripens fifteen days before the Catawba. American Hamburg, a Fox variety-, large, round, black, pulp\', thick skin, very showy, not near so good as Concord; vine very hardy, robust and productive. Anna (Dr Grant), large, round, greenish white, bronzed on the sunny side, dotted and covered with bloom, translucent, handsome; high spicy flavor, simila)- to the White Muscat of Alexandria, very firm tough pulp at the North which dissolves at the Soutli, hard to ripen in tliis latitude, adhesive to the centre, flavor rich, peculiar, sugary and vinous, being entirely distinct from, and less acid than thtit of the Catawba. It is iierfectly hardy, as early as the Catawba, hanes long, and continues to improve to the close of the season ; cluster large, shouldered, loose, but said to become more compact as the vine advances; vine hardy, vigorous, very productive, suitaVde here for Grapery, and for open culture South of the Potomac — It has not yet been fully matured here, but great hopes are entertained, and further South it will attain perfection and undoubtedly prove of great value. DESCRIPTIONS OF INDIGENOUS GRAPES. 11 Angnst Coral, early, large, or full medium, round, bright red, exceedingly sweet, very pleas- ant' flavor, juicy, little pulp, thick skin, highly esteemed, vine very robust ancl hardy for the North, grows most vigorously, extremely productive and never fails in its crops; ripens among the ear- liest varieties at the end of August and beginning of September. It is an improved very showy and desirable variety of the Vitis labrus.cn. N. B. — In one Nursery Catalogue this has been confused with the Charter Oalc, whereas no two varieties are more distinct. Bartram (Ohio), a variety of the Fox, round very large, dark purple with bloom, very attrac- tive, flavor similar and equal to the Concord ; cluster large, very compact, vine very hardy, suited to the North, exceedingly vigorous, and a prodigious bearer. Baxter, nearly medium, black, very showy, quite acid till fullj' ripe, then pleasant; cluster monstrous, long, compact ; a genuine variety of the Frost Grape, Vitis cordi/ulia. Belle Isle (Dr. Grant), medium, round, pale red, with a faint stripe ; quality similar to the Catawba, ten daj's earlier in ripening; leaf variegated. Black Gniguard (S. Ca.), medium size or under, round, bluck, thin skin, very juicy, sprightly, vinous, sufficiently sweet for wine, no foxy flavor or astringency ; bunch oblong, sometimes shoul- dered, suflieiently open to ripen well, a most estimable vineyard grape far superior in its wine qualities to Norton's Virginia, of rather larger size, and is destined to entirely supersede that fa- vorite variety. It never rots or mildews at the South. This is one of the varieties on which our future vineyards are to be successfully based. Black King, (N. Y.) very early, small, black, juicy, moderately sweet, perfumed ; vine perfectly hardy, very vigorous, exceedingly jjroductive; ripeus last of August ; hangs long and keeps well for winter use. Blackstone (Mass.), large, round, black, resembles Concord, rather coarse, improves by long hanging: vine extremely robust and hardy, well suited to the North, very vigorous growth, high- ly productive ; ripens middle of September. Bland, large, round, pale red, but when exposed to the sun attains at full maturity a dark red or pale purplish hue, thin skin, juicy, sweet, no pulp at full maturity ; more mild and melting than any of the original natives, very agreeable for table, but not very good for wine; cluster loose; it is hardy here, regularly productive, ripens at end of September, later than Catawba. It will not succeed further north without some protection ; it is very difticult to propagate from cuttings. The genuine is very rare, the Catawba being almost invariably substituted for it. Brown Gnignard (S. Ca.), dark brownish red or chocolate color, scarcely eatable bitt very estimable for making white wine; combines more sacharine matter than almos*, any other, and never rots. I^'oliage, bark, and growth precisely like Lenoir, very vigorous; a native of Laurens District, S. Ca. Camak (Georgia), rather small, rotind, brownish red, thin skin, very sweet, juicy, melting, free from pulp, excellent; vine vigorous and productive. Carolina Black CI nster (N. Ca.), uuder mcilium size, round, black, juicy, vinous, some pulp ; vine vigorous, and productive; ripens 25th of September. Carolina Bine CInster (N. Ca.), small, blue, round, juicy, sprightly acid, vinous, slight pulp, fair flavor suitable for wine; cluster very loose, berries separate, ripe 10th to 15th of Sept. hangs till middle of October'. Citroiiua Bine iSInsk (N. Ca.), small, ovate, purple with bloom, juicy, vinous, slight acid, with a disagreeable musky flavor, little or no pulp; cluster very sparse ; vine hardy, grows very vigor- ously, productive; ripeus middle of September, and makes good wine. Carolina Globose (N. Ca.), medium, round, black, vinous, unpleasant flavor, too acid for the table, will make good wine ; vine vigorous and productive; cluster loose; ripens 20th of Sept. Car! cr's Favorite (Virginia), medium size, considerably larger than Norton's Virginia, being an important ini[)rovemeut on that variety, round, black with bloom, skin not thick, juicy, vin- ous, rather sweet, little or no pulp and pleasant flavor, free from acid when fully matured, very estimable for vineyard culture; cluster shouldered ; vine hardy, vigorous, and very productive. Carter's Virgioian, early, small, ovate, purple with bloom, juicy, vinous, slight pulp, pleasant, thin skin, suitable for making good wine ; vine very vigorous, productive ; ripens the beginning of September. Cassidy, below riieJium, round, greenish white with bloom, but little pulp, sweet with an aroma, juicy, pleasant; cluster small to medium, rather compact, vine vigorous very productive. Catawba — Qualities universally known. Catherine, a new Seedling, originated by Mr. N. G. Waterman of Connecticut, and not yet ofl"ered for sale. Cecilia, seedling of Isabella, about medium size, round, black, juicy, sweet, fragrant, very pleasant, slight pulp, somowhatfoxy, skin not thick, vine robust, with large leaves, very hardy for the Morth, pioductive ; ripens early in September. Chillicothe (Ohio), same size appearance and quality as Isabella, not quite so oval, cluster long loose, and shouldered ; vine hardy, very productive ; ripe middle September. ChOfOlate (N. Ca.), small, black, suitable for making wine; cluster large; vine vigoruus, very productive ; ripeus late. 12 DESCRIPTIONS OF INDIGENOUS GRAPES. Christea's Isabella (Canada), resembles its parent, but is said to be an improvement of double the size in berry and bunch ; others say bunch and berry are very large. It is also stated by some to be two weeks earlier, which is doubtful. It has not yet been tested by us. Clarke (Virginia), large, black, sprightly acid, good for wine ; vine vigorous; ripens late. Clinton, small to medium, round, black with bloom, juicy, brisk, vinous, not sweet, but pleas- ant, little pulp, thin skin, secondary quality for table, but improves greatly by hanging till after frost, very good for wine ; cluster small to medium, oblong, compact ; vine very hardy, suitable for the extreme North, exceedingly vigorous and produces immense crops; ripens the beginning of September, but the fruit can be preserved until the last of February, and improves. CobstoviuCj somewhat i-esembles Isabella, thicker skin and not equal in sweetness and flavor; ripen three weeks later. Collina — Hill Grape (Ohio), small, bluish black, excellent quality, peculiar delicious subacid flavor ; cluster compact ; makes blood-colored wine of superior flavor (in moderate quantity) ; vine extremely vigorous and an enormous bearer ; the berries begin to color the last of August but are not in perfection until affected by one or two severe frosts. Colaiubia, small, round, dark purple, considerable pulp, juicy, vinous, pleasant, not high fla- vored, some acidity but sweet when fully mature ; clusters small but very numerous, makes a high colored wiue ; vine very hardy, vigorous, productive ; ripens end of September. Colnmbian Muscat, rather larger than Catawba, pale green with white bloom, very high musk flavor, similar to the White Muscat of Alexandria, very juicy and excellent, very valuable. The vijie is vigorous, blooms profusely, and is exceedingly productive ; ripens end of September. An admirable Grape for this locality and for the South. Concord (Mass.), birge, I'ound, black with bloom, thick skin, moderately juicy, very sweet, pleasant, considerable pulp, which diminishes at maturity, some foxy flavor; cluster large, heavy, shouldered, compact, of splendid appearance ; vine exceedingly hardy, vigorous and robust, remarkably productive, will succeed far to the North; ripens twelve days before Isabella. It suc- ceeds admirably at the West and South, never rots or mildews, and attains there a much greater per- fection than here or at the East. Corbin (Conn.), medium, peculiar form, sweet, fine flavor; vine very hardy, vigorous and productive. Coriel (New Jersey), foliage and berry resembles Isabella, but latter, is one-third to one-half larger and the cluster in same proportion, skin thinner, berry lesspulpy, with a flavor of the great- est excellence; vine very hardy, of vigorous growth and highly productive '; ripens the beginning of September. CreTeiiiig, small or medium, round, black, juicy, very sweet, rich, very good, cluster very Bparse, ripens two to three weeks before the Isabella, a genuine native. Crystal, a seedling of Catawba, white, transparent, round, very sweet, luscious, but little pulp ; cluster medium, shouldered, compact ; vine vigorous and productive. Cnnningham (Virginia), small, round, black, good for table ; bunch small, containing 30 to 50 berries; vine hardy, very vigorous and productive ; foliage larger and more rounded than Nor- ton's Virginia, not pointed ; ripe the beginning of October. Diana (Mass.), rather large, round, reddish lilac with bloom, beautiful, sweet, delicate, juicy, rich, vinous and aromatic, no foxiness at maturity, greatly esteemed, hangs long and improves, makes good raisins, keeps well for winter use ; bunch large, verj^ compact; vine hardy, vigorous, exceedingly productive ; ripens early, 10 to 12 days before the Isabella. > Early Amber (Shakers), an estimable variety of the Red Fox much cultivated bj' the Shakers, and is the best of their varieties, medium, oval, amber color, very sweet, dissolving pulp, no foxy odor, good, falls off when ripe ; vine hardy, vigorous and productive. Early Blacll Fox, early, rather large, round, black, rather sweet; cluster small but profuse : berries drop as soon as fully matured ; vine very vigorous quicklj' covering arbors or trellises, very hardy and exceedingly productive ; ripens end of August. Early Red Fox, large, round, dull dark red, thick skin, pulpy, sweet, considerable juice, fair quality; vine extremely hardy for the North, very vigorous growth, and produces great crops; ri- pens the beginning of September. Early Wllite Fox, large, round, compressed, greenish, pulpy, thick skin, rather sweet, juicy, pleasant; ripe 10th of September. Early Isabella, size, color, form, flavoi-, and cluster similar to Old Isabella "but ripens 10 days sooner ; vine very hardy, vigorous and productive. Eaton's Catawba, large, round, red, sweet, good for table and for wine ; vine vigorous ; ri- pens in September. Elizabeth, seedling of Isabella, black, medium, round, but little pulp, good, not fully tested ; vine hardy, vigorous, productive; ripens middle of September. Ellen (Ohio), a seedling of Catawba, large, dark purple, roundish, sweet, good flavor, equal to the Isabella and ripens at the same period ; vine hardy, very vigorous, productive. El Passo (Texas), a blue variety of great excellence for table, wine, and raisins, said to reseni ble the Isabella, but not yet tested here. There is also a luscious White variety growing in the same region, which ripens earlier. DESCRIPTIONS OF INDIGENOUS GRAPES. 13 Elsiobnrgh, small, round, black with blue bloom, thin skin, no pulp, sweet, melting, excel- lent for table ; bunch long, loose, shouldered ; vine makes slender shoots, but is very hardy and productive ; ripens end of August. Empire (N. Y.), one-third larger than Catawba, skin rather thicker, some pulp, berry very dark not black, blue bloom, very sweet when fully ripe with a peculiar rose flavor; cluster very large, shouldered, larger than Concord, compact ; vine remarkably vigorous and rampant, exceed- ingly hardy and a very great bearer; ripens same period as Catawba ; foliage very large, the berries adhering strongly; the fruit can be preserved well through the winter in a fresh state. It is valuable lor preserves, and the vine is suited to this latitude and to the South. Estelle, seedling of Alexander, large, round, black, pulpy, acid, becoming sweet at maturity, foxy, juicy, vinous; vine very hardy, vigorous, productive; ripe beginning of September. Eugenia, seedling of Catawba, early, medium, round, dull, dark or blackish red, thick skin, good, vine hardy, vigorous, very productive, ripens 12 days before the Catawba. Eureka (Prince), a seedling whose fruit is entirely distinct from any other Native Grape. Berry medium, round, pale pink, very sweet and remarkably juicy, with an exquisite perfumed vinous flavor, but one seed, very thin skin, as free from pulp and foxy flavor as the most delicate foreign grapes. It not only surpasses all Natives, but is superior in sprightliness and flavor to any of the Chasselas varieties ; cluster medium, not shouldered, berries sufficiently apart to mature per- fectly ; vine very hardy, more so than Isabella or Catawba, and more vigorous, with very large foliage; exceedingly productive ; ripens from the 5th to 10th of September. A weak layer of 1858 has now (Oct. '59.) six shoots measuring 10 to 12 feet, in all about G4 feet of wood, being more than 12 times the weight of wood and foliage that Delaware vines have of the same age. This grape is not only suitable for the table, but combines in a pre-eminent degree all the estimable qualities requisite for making as delicious, sprightly, aromatic wine as the best foreign varieties have ever produced. A Committee of Horticulturists of universally acknowledged ability and judgment will be solicited to investigate the merits of this Grape, and vines will be ofi'ered by subscription in the autumn of 1861 at $10 per pair. Fox— White, Red, and Biack,— Vitis labrnsea. There are several varieties of each of these, differing in size and flavor, and usually remarkable for their thick skin, tough pulp, and strong foxy flavor. Some are tolerable table grapes, but the most of those found in a natural state are useful only for cookery and preserves. Some ripen very early in August, and others in September. It is a character natural to this species to shed the fruit as soon as ripe, but some seedling varieties are not subject to this defect. Fragrant Harrison, a seedling from Isabella. Berry and bunch rather large, amber white, ripens before Isabella. FranlOin (Penn.), precisely like the Clinton, with the exception that the fruit is sweet; ripens early, small, black, superior to Alexander, highly esteemed ; vme hardy, vigorous, holds fruit and foliage late. Some seedlings of it grown by Dr. J. B. Garber seem of great promise. Garrigues (Del.), large.'oval, dark purple, thick bloom, very much resembles Isabella, of which doubtleijs it is a seedling; quality not quite equal, juicy, sweet, rich, some toughness of pulp, cluster large, shouldered, loose ; vine hardy, very vigorous, productive ; ripens ten days before Isabella. The tale about planting a raisin seed is of course mere nonsense. Godman (Virginia), nearly as large as Isabella, round, black with bloom, sweet, good flavor, pleasant for table ; cluster nTedium, branched, sometimes equally divided, vine very hardy, vigor- ous, productive, valuable for its earliness ; ripens 10th or 15th of September. Golden f iintou (N. Y.), a seedling of Clinton, berry and bunch small, amber white, tender, thin skin, juicy, mild acid, very good flavor, no pulp, estimable; vine very hardy, vigorous growth, very productive; ri-pens middle of September. Graliam, medium, round, purple with bloom, juicy, sweet, pleasant, slight pulp, excellent; cluster medium, shouldered, loose. Gridley, small, round, blue, juicy, pleasant, not high flavor, pulpy, not foxy, better than Clin- ton ; cluster large, shouldered ; vine very hardy, extremely vigorous and very productive. Halifax (N. Ca.), medium, roimd, black, juicy, vinous, pulpy, unpleasant flavor, makes good wine; vine very hardy, vigorous, exceedingly productive; ripens end of September. Halifax Seedling, early, medium, black, blue bloom, pulpy, peculiar huckleberry flavor, makes very good wine; vine vigorous, immensely productive. Hannah (Ohio), a seedling of the Catawba, oval, dark purple, beautiful, sweet, musky, very good; cluster medium to large, branched, rather compact; vine hardy, vigorous, productive; ripens at the same period with the Isabella. Harris (Southern), medium size, round, black with blue bloom, sweet, juicy, pleasant, a little pulp, not subject to rot at the South, valuable ; vine extremely vigorous and productive, ripens beginning of September. Hartford Prolific, rather large, round, black with bloom, thick skin, considerable foxiness till fully ripe, but less than the Concord which it surpasses in quality ; sweet, juicy, good flavor, some pulp, estimable for table, nearly equal to Isabella, bunch large, shouldered, rather compact; vine very hardy, exceedingly rampant and vigorous as well as greatly productive ; succeeds with but slight attention, and is well suited to the extreme North. The berries are subject to drop when 14 DESCRIPTIONS OF INDIGENOUS GRAPES. mature, but proper culture may remedy this defect. We presume this grape will be found to im- prove at the South and West as is the case with the Concord. Uart's White — Elizabeth, medium, white, ovate, good quality; vine hardy and vigorous ; ripens end of September. Herbemout (Georgia). We received this from Mr. Herbemont. It is totally distinct from the Warren; berry small, round, deep purple with blue bloom, thin skin, free from pulp or foxy flavor, very juicy, vinous, aromatic, and exceedingly sprightly ; not so sweet as the Lenoir, and mueli larger cluster; bunch sometimes weighs one and a half to two pounds, shouldered, triangu- lar form, verj' compact indeed; it is one of the most sprightly, and pleasant for eating, and makes very superior wine ; vine remarkably vigorous, short jointed, hardy here, bears enormously, and matures its fruit early in September. Holmes' {Early Purple or Old Colony Grape), native of Mass., early, ripening 20th to 25th of August, globose, blue or purple, large as Isabella, sweet, a little foxy,"more pulfiy than Isabella, but this diminishes and it becomes quite as sweet by hanging till fully matured ; bunch medium, seldom shouldered. The vine is very hardy and suited to the Nurtb, vigorous and regularly pro- ductive, thrives best in a dry, rich soil. If allowed to hang late, the berries become as dry as raisins. It makes fine flavored wine, and although not equal to the Isabella and Catawba, it is much more valued at the North as it never fails to mature its fruit before the frosts. It has re- mained uninjured by the winter when the Isabella and Concord were kdled to the ground, and it is believed that it will thrive uninjured as far north as the moat hardy of grapes. Hndson — Early Hadson, rather large, black with blue bloom ; resembles Isabella in berry and bunch, and is a seedling of that variety, not however quite so rich and sprightly; juicy, sweet, tender pulp ; thin skin ; vine perfectly hardy, vigorous, very productive; ripens early in Sep- tember. Hnnterville (N. C), rather below medium size, round, black, very juicy, slightly acid, verj' little pulp, thin skin, not sweet, lait pleasant and vinous when fully ripe, well adapted for wine; cluster loose, shouldered; vine vigorous, very productive ; fruit ripens end of July, hangs long ou the vine and irapuoves thereby. Hnsmann's Prolific (Missouri), small, round, black with blue bloom, pulpy, too astringent lor table; cluster long and compact; a valuable variety, ripens end of September; makes an excel- lent brilliant red wine, resembling fine claret; vine very hardy and vigorous, immensely produc- tive, and easily cultivated with success. It has produced in the Missouri vinej'ards 800 gallons of good wine per acre. Hyde's Eliza. We have the original vine received from Wilkes Hyde, of Catskill. The genu- ine is not found but in two or three collections, the others have York Madeira, which has been latterly disseminated everywhere under this name. Berry of the same form and flavor as the Isabella, and the foliage and growth of the vine very similar; the flavor is perhaps more sprightly, and it ripens ten days sooner ; vine hardly, vigorous, and very productive. Illiuols Prolific, found wild near Waterloo, Illinois, very small ; bunch medium, compact ; juice very dark but brilliant, making a very excellent red wine in three to six months; vine very robust, vigorous, and exceedingly productive; ripens last week of September. Isabella — Qualities universally known. Ives' Seedliug — Mnusou (Conn.), small berry and medium cluster, some foxy odor, hnrd pulp, which will probably dissolve at the south, to whieh climate it is best suited; hangs late, and im- proves after frost ; vine very hardy, of most luxuriant growth, very productive. Jack — Lougworth's Ohio (Georgia), very small, blue with bloom, no pulp or foxiness, sweet, vinous, pleasant, only two seeds to a berry, cluster large, long, shouldered, verv sparse ; vine very vigorous and rampant, allied to the Warren, ripens the middle oj September. It is a genuine native, and there are seven or eight Southern varieties of the same family. Two varieties, if not more have been sent out from Cincinnati under this name, which has caused confusion. Jenning's Seedling, a very early black grape, of ordinary quality, grown near Boston for market and suitable for cooking purposes; vine very hardy productive. Ranffm iD, (Ohio), size of Clinton, acid, becoming pleasant when fully matured, cluster com- pact, vine hardy and vigorous. Kendall, rather large, oval, very dark, good quality, cluster medium, vine hardy and vigor- ous; ripens middle of September. Keu.sington (Conn.), medium size, devoid of foxy flavor, deemed by many .equal to Isabella, not yet tested by us. Lake's Seedling (Mass.), early, large, black, very sweet, free from foxy flavor ; ripens 25th of of August, ddos not drop its fruit. Large Black Marlon — True Marion (Ohio), early, nearly the size of Isabella, oval, black with bloom, very juicy, sweet, good flavor, little or no pulp, estimable for table, superior to Lognn in flavor. Mr. Longworth describes it as " hardy, a good bearer, a week earlier and better flavored than the Isabella." Cluster large and long, often a small branch at top; ripens early in Septem- ber. It is supposed to be a seedling of the Isabella, makes good pale wine, not equal to Catawba, but is a valuable wine grape where the Catawba will not succeed, and has proved at Cincinnati DESCRIPTIONS OF INDIGENOUS GRAPES. 15 superior tn Isabella for field culture and for wine ; vine very Iiardy, extremely vigorous, short jointed, very great bearer, an estimable variety. Large White Transparent (N. Hamp.), very early and large, much extolled in New Hamp- shire, but not tested by us. Lenoir, very early, small, round, black, covered with a blue bloom, very thin skin, juicy, very sweet, sprightly, agreeable flavor, excellent for table and makes fine wine ; ripens two weeks before the Ilerbemont and is siipei'ior to it; bunch medium or rather small, slightly shouldered, very compact, usually a little branch at the top; ripe last of August, berries much eaten by birds, seldom rots at the South ; vine vigorous, produces abundantly. This and the Pauline are the two finest grapes we have obtained from the South, and are both far preferable to the Logan in flavor. They ai-e some varieties of this grape called Mrs. Stanford, French, &c. Little Ozark (Missouri), medium size, black, vinous, cluster long and loose, yields abundant wine of bright purple color very similar to Claret, which improves very much by one or two years' keeping ; ripens last week of September Logan, same color, form, flavor and pulp as its parent the Isabella, and two thirds its size, not equal in quality, deficient in flavor and sweetness when contrasted with the Large Marion, Pauline, Lenoir, and August Coral, all of which are eqiially early in ripening ; cluster medium, long, loose; vine very hardy, vigorous and productive; ripens the last of August, three weeks before the Isabella. It seems to be of the same parentage as the Large Marion. Long's (Georgia), medium, dark purple with blue bloom, thin skin, tender, very little pulp, sweet, vinons, not for table, but very good for wine ; bunch medium, very compact, largest wei^'h- ing I lb. ; ripe middle of September, very productive. In growth it resembles Lenoir. Longwortll's Catawba (Ohio), large, dee^ier color, and rather more pulp than its parent the Catawba, and ripens rather later; vine hardy, vigorous, suited for south of the Potomac. Louisa, large, ovate, black with bloom, few seeds, equal or superior to Isabella, ripens ten days earlier; cluster medium, sometimes shouldered, rather compact; vine hardy, vigorous, very productive. Lydia (Ohio), medium size, round, yellowish green, good flavor, more sprightly than Isabella, less aroma than Catawba ; cluster small, irregular, loose ; vine hardy and vigorous. This and the " Mottled " originated with Charles Carpenter, Esq., of Ohio. Maddox (Virginia), much resembles Norton's Virginia and Woodson in berry, bunch and foliage; berry dark brownish red, rather acid for table, makes good wine; vine hardy, of vigor- ous growth, great bearer, a late variety, ripening in October. Mammoth Catawba (Ohio), round, one half larger than its parent Catawba, and of same color with bloom, very juicy, rich as Catawba, same flavor, but not as sweet, little dissolving pulp, thin skin; cluster very large, compact and heavy, branching at the top; vine vigorous, rather tender here, moderately productive, which judicious culture may rectify ; ripens 20th September. Manoclianocli (Penn.), large, round, black, pulpj^, thick skin, not sweet, of but little value. Marion, a late, sour, pulpy, and worthless grape was called by this name. It has been sold largely, but is utterly unworthy of culture, though confused by some with the estimable varieties. Marion Port (Ohio), so named on account of its yielding a wine similar in flavor to the best Port. Berry small, round, black, very juicy, sweet, very good flavor, no pulp, slightly astringent, fair quality for table ; cluster small to medium, very compact ; vine exceedingly hardy, very vigorous, great and sure bearer; ripens 10th to loth of Sept., matures its fruit well where Isabella and Catawba will not ripen. It is a superior, and most valuable vineyard grape, yielding abundant dark rich colored wine, and will occupy an important position in the future vineyards of our country. Martlia (Thayer's), a new variety, which by a person who has tested it, is " supposed equal to, if it does not excel every other known native grape." We have not tested its merits. Maryaun, size of Isabella, round, dark dull black, much esteemed, not quite equal in quality to Isabella, but two weeks earlier ; vine very hardy, vigorous, highly productive. Massachasetts White. We went to Plymouth the present season, and endeavored to get a sight of this now celebrated Grape, but in vain. We did, however, ascertain full details as to a vine so called, and we hi consequence do not off'er such a vine to our correspondents. Missouri, obtained from Missouri b}' us, and sent long since to Cincinnati. It is very small, round, remarkably black with bloom, sweet and pleasant, slight pulp, thin skin, usually but one seed ; cluster medium, shouldered, loose, growth not vigorous, moderately productive. It is much esteemed for its wine which resembles Madeira. Missonri Bird's S;ye, small, black, very sweet, good, some pulp ; cluster long, loose, shouldered ; vine hardy, fruit not subject to rot or mildew, good for table, and makes excellent wine, ripens before Isabella, a moderate bearer. Monteitli (Canandaigua), may prove a synonym, early, medium, round, very sweet and good ; vine very hardy and vigorous, foliage small; ripens two weeks before Isabella. Montgomery (Ala.), native of the vicinity of Montgomery, Ala., where it is called £lack Spanish; it much resembles the Lenoir, and although distinct, is by some deeaied identical; the cluster is more compact and seems more symmetrical, and the berries less susceptible to the i-ot. Mottier's White (Ohio), large, round, greenish white, rich Catawba flavor, juicy, good, tough 16 DESCRIPTIONS OF INDIGENOUS GRAPES. pulp till fully mature ; cluster medium, compact; vine productive; ripeus 1st October, which is rather late for this latitude, but it is suitable for the South. Mottled (Ohio). Berry in form, color and flavor resembles the Catawba, but smaller and perceptibly mottled or shaded; the bunch is also much more compact and of more regular form ; ripens with the Isabella. Mustang (Texas), rather below medium size, round, black with bloom, juicy, pleasant flavor, dissolving pulp, makes excellent red (Claret) wine; vine of vigorous rambling growth, quite distinct from Post Oak, Scuppernong, and Muscadine. Nai'fissa (Ohio), seedling from Isabella, a magnificent grape, originated by E. Peters, Esq. ; larwe, oval, very dark with bloom, very sweet, more musky and delicious flavor than the parent, and ripens a weak earlier. Nannikeg, seedling from Isabella, same form and flavor, and ripens at the same period ; medium size, purplish red, darker than Catawba, some pulp, pleasant, productive. North America, medium size, good quality, vigorous growth, probably valuable, not yet tested by us. North Garollna, full medium, round, black, too astringent for table, makes a good flavored dark red wine similar to Claret; cluster small to medium, loose ; vine very hardy, vigorous and pro- ductive; berry begins here to color last of September; ripens fully 10th October; it is a large variety of the Frost Grape, hangs long, never rots or mildews at the South or West. In the Mis- souri vineyards it has produced 1| gallons per vine. Northern Muscadine, originated with the Shakers ; medium, round, brownish red or dark amber, much foxy odor, some pulp, rather sweet, juicy and pleasant, little flavor or strength of juice for wine ; cluster small to medium, compact, berries fall as soon as ripe; vine hardy, vigor- ous, productive ; matures fifteen days before Isabella, makes a tolerable wine of little strength. It is of the Red Fox family, but an improvement, hardier and earlier than the Isabella and Catawba, and is said to be much better on dry than on wet soils. Norton's Virginia, not a hybrid as formerly supposed, but a genuine indigenous variety found in Virginia and Carolina. Fruit small, round, dark purple, thin skin, pulpy, juicy, brisk, vinous, austere until fully ripe, then pleasant and sweet for table ; bunch long, often nine inches, some- times shouldered, 'very compact; vine so very hardy that it succeeds in Massachusetts, remarkably- vigorous, produces most abundant and never-failing crops. It is free from all mildew and rot at the South and West, and is so rustic that it will grow on any soil. It is a very important wine "■rape, producing an excellent, dark colored, high flavored juice, competing with tlie best Port Wine ; ripens beginning of September, hangs long and improves. "We only know of three varieties superior to this for red wine, and they are yet scarce. This variety does not propagate by cut- tings, but by layers or grafting. " Oconee, Niesler's (Georgia), a vine with unique small deep green foliage, dissimilar to any other, but approximates to that of two other Southern varieties ; berry yet unknown to us. Ofifer (Ohio), a genuine Labrusca variety, although pretended to have been grown from a raisin seed ; large, light glossy brown, thick skin, very sweet, musky ; cluster large, very com- pact, rather earlier than Isabella, and is larger and hardier, hangs long and improves ; vine vigor- ous and productive. Ohio Claret, small, very dark, fair quality for table when fully ripe ; excellent for wine ; vine robust and prolific ; ripens same time as Isabella. Ohio Globose, medium, round, black, juicj^, fair quality, thin skin, resembles Alexander but not aslaree; cluster medium ; ripens 10th of Septembei". Ohio Prolific small, round, purplish, sprightly acid, vinous, not sweet, pleasant flavor, good ; clusters small, but very numerous; vine extremely robust and vigorous; ripens middle of Sept. Ontario (Canada), deemed the largest of grapes; berry 1 to 1^ inches in diameter, splendid appeai-ance, round, black, but little pulp, thin skin, by some stated to be only tolerable in quality, and by others about equal to Isabella ; bunch very large ; vine extremely vigorous and hardy at 42'= North Lat. ; ripens in September ; not tested by us. Ozarli Favorite, medium size, vinous, purple juice ; cluster medium, compact, makes a peculiar sprightly aromatic wine ; ripens last week in September. Pauline (Southern), the finest native grape of the South ; fruit medium size, brownish crim- son, thin skin, very sweet, delicious, no pulp; cluster large, shouldered, compact; vine vigorous, productive; allied to Lenoir. Perfnnied or Mignonette— Vitis Biparia, grows naturally at Niagara Falls, a male vine pro- ducing exquisitely scented flowers; vine of most luxuriant and rapid growth for arbors or screens. Periiius (Mass.), beautiful, large, round, pale bronze with bloom, juicy, agreeable flavor, not sweet, pleasant musky odor, pulpy, skin medium ; cluster large, long, compact. It is intermediate between Catawba and Red Fox; vine very hardy for the Korth, vigorous and productive. It is earlier, hardier, and a greater bearer than the Diana, but not equal in quality. This must not be confused with the Eudora or Perkins, which is a large, coarse. Fox variety of little value. Pioneer, probably synonym, said to resemble Isabella, fair quality ; vine very liardy ; ripens in September; not yet tested by us. DESCRIPTIONS OF INDIGENOUS GRAPES. lY Paschel's Slamniotb, seedling of Mammoth Catawba, of better flavor, beautiful color, not much subject to rot at the South ; vine vigorous, but rather tender here. Pond's Seedling (Mass.), small, round, blue, pleasant, fair quality; cluster long; vine very hardy and vigorous. Potter — Potter's Catawba (Conn.), very large, round, a little compressed, dark amber, skin medium, juicy, pulpy, somewhat fo.\y, pleasant flavor, very sweet at full maturity, intermediate between Catawba and Red Fox, sweeter and earlier than Concord ; vine close-jointed, very hardy, exceedingly vigorous, and a profuse bearer. Pnrdy's Prolific, a variety of Red Fox, medium size, pale, dingy red, becoming dull dark red at full maturity, thick skin, juicy, sweet, pleasant, pulpy; very hardy and exceedingly robust, suited to the North, and very productive ; ripe 10th of September. Pnrple Catawba, very early, same size, form, and quality as the Catawba, but of a purplish hue when fully ripe, quite sweet, good flavor, estimable. It matures from loth to 20th of August, a month before the Catawba; the vine is more hardy, exceedingly strong and vigorous, very pro- ductive. Raabe — Honey, small, round, purple, very sweet, vinous, pleasant flavor ; cluster small, some- times shouldered; vine hardy, productive; is probably a hybrid V)etweeQ Catawba and Elsin- burg, superior to either. Ramsdell, large, round, dull red, juicy, quite sweet, pulpy, fragrant, very pleasant, thick skin; vine one of the most hardy, exceedingly vigorous and productive, many bushels being pro- duced on a single vine ; matures its fruit well at the North where the Isabella and Catawba fail entirely ; very early, ripens the last of August. It is best flavored on a light and not rich soil. Eebeeca, an estimable seedling of the Golden Chasselas, medium size, amber, round, thin skin, juicy, sweet, same flavor as its parent, more hardness of pulp than the European varieties ; cluster medium compact. It forms extensive shoots, but of slender growth. Its habit, sensitiveness, and proneness to mildew, accord precisely with the foreign Chasselas varieties. It ripens middle of September, but can never be adopted in vineyard culture. This is the only variety we have de- scribed in this class that does not belong to the indigenous species. St. Catherine (Mass.), originated in 1850 in the garden of J. W. Clark, Esq., and fruited there first in 1853. Berry large, same color as Catawba, which it resembles ; juicy, very delicious, thin skin, sprightly, subacid, fine flavor when fully ripe, soft pulp, larger than Concord and less foxy; ripens two weeks earlier, at the beginning of September; cluster loose, sometimes shouldered; vme very hardy, vigorous, great bearer ; ripens its fruit well even where the Diana and Concord fail, which is a highly important fact; hangs on well. It is supposed to be a cro.s8 between the Red Fox and C^atawba; it is difficult to grow from cuttings. Saluda, said to be a Southern seedling of Isabella, and much resembles it, berries more oval ; clusters not so large and more open or loose. Scnppernong, White, rather large, round, bronzed, white at maturity, without pulp, thick skin, very sweet, finely flavored for table, makes most exquisite wine, the aroma of which sur- passes all other wines. The clusters are very small, but the crop is immense. The fruit matures here at the end of September, but the vine must be pruned to a single stem at the base and be kept free of suckers. A traveled ignoramus states that this vine is a native of Greece, when in point of fact no similar species of grape has ever been found growing naturally in Europe, and this distinct species covers naturally a region of our country more than twenty times the extent of Greece. The whole growth, foliage, and wood distinguish this family of grapes from all others, They cannot be grown from cuttings with facility. Scnppernong, Bine or Black, same size and form of berry, and same foliage, growth, and habit as the White variety, but usually produces a greater crop, which matures at a rather later period. The berries hang long after the frost has destroyed the foliage, and are then very delicious ; the skin is thicker and the pulp firmer than the White, requiring more force to express the juice. Scnppernong, Bnia, round, very large, about twice the size of the White and Blue varieties, V)ears nearly as abundantly, is less palatable, but makes very good wine. Schnyler (New York), over medium, round, juicy, not sweet ; vine hardy, productive, ripe middle of September. Shepherd (Ohio), a seedling of the Catawba, originated by the Rev. J.«N. Shepherd, a most intelligent and indefatigable colaborer in the Vineyard. Berry round, paler color, and larger than the parent; sweeter, more tender, and less astringent; same aroma, ripens at same period; bunch medium to large, shouldered, more compact than parent. An improvement, and an im- portant acqiiisition. Shnrtleff (Mass.) The original vine of this name was grown from foreign seed, and has been cast aside. The present one is an indigenous seedling, medium or rather small, round, black with bloom ; flavor sprightly and refreshing, the sweet and acid being pleasantly blended ; dissolving pulp, no foxy taste, does not fall off; cluster medium size, shouldered ; vinejperfectly hardy, with slender shoots of great length ; a moderate bearer. Its buds expand later than the Isabella, and it ripens its fruit two weeks sooner than that variety. Snmmer Black, a variety of Black Fox. early, medium, round, black, sweet, thick skin, foxy, pleasant; cluster small ; excellent for cjnserves ; vine very vigorous, quickly covering an arbor, profuse bearer, ripens end of August, very hardy and suitable for the North. 3 l8 DESCRIPTIONS OF INDIGENOUS GRAPES Swatara, very early, small, black, sweet, tolerably good; cluster small, very compact; viae vigorous and productive ; ripens beginning of September. Taylor — Bnllitt (Kentucky), this fine variety -was brought to special notice by Hon. John G. Taylor. Fruit medium size, white or amber, juicy, very sweet, fine flavor, thin skin, very estima- ble, promises to be fully equal to the Anna; bunch medium, compact, never rots or mildews; vine in growth much like the Lenoir, young wood and foliage smooth, exceedingly vigorous, has made annual shoots of twenty feet. It is more hardy than Isabella or Catawba, a great bearer, succeeds best without much pruning ; ripens 25th of August. The bunch and berry a little less in size than the Catawba. Texas Bine Slnscadine, peculiar foliage, resembling the Post Oak ; vine rambles greatly ; fruit very good flavor, and ripens early. Texas Post Oak — Baccbanalian, an estimable variety of fine flavor; vine does not run much ; foliage very peculiar, resembling the leaves of the Post Oak ; ripens early. Texas Sand Hill, grows on the sandy hills of Texas, and will probably prove synonymous with some other described variety. The fruit is said to be very good. To Kalon (Lansingburg), large, ovate or round, blue-black with bloom, very sweet, buttery, delicate aroma, no pulp or foxy flavor when matured; cluster large, shouldered, vine perfectly hardy, and in rich soil it bears abundantly ; ripens ten days before Isabella, and is superior to it. Transparent (N. Ca.), very large, round, red, acid, ripens early; vine very vigorous; not yet fully tested. Troy (N. Y.) This is often called Black Hamburg at Troy in this State ; berry large, oval, dark purple, closely resembling Isabella in form and appearance, not equal in quality, but more hardy and rather earlier. It is very juicy, sprightly acid, becoming sweeter at maturity, thin skin, good for table and wine ; vine very robust, grows most vigorously, and bears profusely. Some vines have produced ten to fifteen bushels each. Union Village (Ohio), berry very large, equaling the Black Hamburg, round, black with bloom, very juicy, dissolving pulp, good flavor, few seeds, thin skin, similar in quality to Isabella, and by many deemed superior ; cluster very large, compact, often weighing a pound; extremely showy, hangs long uninjured by frost and improves; vine one of the most robust and vigorous, large foliage, ripens a week before Isabella. The vigorous shoots on young vines are sometimes injured by tbe winter, and should be protected until the vines are three or four years old. Venango — Miner (Tenn.), size of Catawba, round, brownish lilac or dark dove-color with bloom, rather thick skin, juicy, fnir quality, tough pulp dissolving at maturity, with a peculiar' aromatic flavor, valuable for flavoring wines and cookery; cluster compact; by many much es- teemed for wine. A vine of very hardy and remarkably vigorous character, it having made shoots of fifty feet, ripens two weeks before Catawba. Vine Arbor (N. Ca.), above medium, round, black, sweet, good for table, makes good wine ; vine very productive ; ripens late. Virginian Amber, small, pale red, estimable ; vine very hardy, vigorous and productive. WaC'bita, also called Mountain Grape, a native of Louisiana, represented as one of the most excellent native varieties. Warren. This we know to be correct, as we originally received it direct from General McCall, of "Warrenton, Ga. It is entirely distinct from the Herbemont, with which it has been confused. Fruit small, blue with profuse bloom, brisk, sprightly, very pleasant, free of all pulp or foxy flavor, and with few or no seeds; cluster large, long, loose, and straggling; leaves very large, very deeply five-lobed with small additional indentations of the central lobe; the wood his a grayish cast, the vine grows slowly here at first, being rather tender, but when older and in a favorable position it makes immense shoots. Warren's Catawba, a seedling of the Catawba, and nearly of the same size ; white, a little bronzed on the sunny side, has a thick bloom, early, flavor similar to the parent, a little more foxy, exceedingly sweet, said to be superior to Isabella or Concord ; cluster medium, hangs long, and improves ; vine very hardy in Massachusetts, vigorous and productive ; ripens ten days be- fore Isabella. It makes a most delicious wine of the genuine Catawba flavor, a fact we ourselves have proved. White Catawba, berry size of parent, greenish white, very sweet, pleasant flavor, estimable for table, but at the South is subject to rot ; vine same habit as the parent. Wilcox, small, greenish white, acid, only suitable for wine ; vine vigorous, productive, ripens late ; suited to the South, where, without doubt, the fruit will be improved in quality. Wilmington (Del.), medium, amber white, oval, very spicy, high flavored, estimable ; vine productive. Wine Home, medium size, black, vinous ; cluster long and loose ; makes a firm spicy wine, which in six to twelve months attains a high value ; ripens last week in September. Winslow (Ohio), small, same type as Clinton, ripens two weeks before Isabella; vine hardy and vigorous. It is a genuine native, although sent forth as a raisin seedling. Professor Kirtland states that he has not recommended it, yet his name has been attached to it Wintermoot (Penn.), round, black, juicy, very good flavor, vine vigorous and productive. Winton (N. Y.), early, small, round, very sweet, juicy, vinous, some pulp, extremely sacchar- ine, pleaaant for table, good for wine; cluster rather loose. A seedling of the same family as the ALLEN'SHYBRID GRAPES. 19 r Lenoir, ripens three weeks before the Isabella; vine very hardy, adapted to the North; very productive. Woodson (Virginia), medium size, round, somewhat compressed, dull purple or chocolate color with bloom, very peculiar color, juicy, vinous, sprightly acid, little dissolving pulp, no foxy flavor, thin skin; not pleasant for table, but makes tolerable wine; cluster long; ripens near end of September. Wright's Isabella (Penu.), cluster and berry same size as Franklin, ripens perfectly, earlier than Isabella, fully equal in flavor and more valuable. Wyoming (Penn.), medium size, glossy black, thin skin, very juicy, pleasant flavor, excellent for wine, hangs long on the vine ; very hardy, vigorous and productive. York Madeira (Penn.), small, roundish, nearly black with bloom, juicy, sweet, but little pulp, rich, vinous, pleasant, peculiar flavor, cluster medium, very compact, sometimes shouldered, in appearance nearest to Clinton, quality between that and Isabella ; vine short-jointed, very hardy, suited to the North ; vigorous, extremely productive ; foliage medium size, deep green ; it makes excellent wine ; ripens twelve days before Isabella. Young's Seedling (Ohio), same size, flavor, and quality as Isabella, from which it is a seedling, ovate, purple with bloom ; cluster medium, shouldered ; ripens middle of September. 4: ALLEN'S HYBRID GRAPES. Allen's No. 5. — A Hybrid purple or black grape not yet named, from seed of the Isabella ; fruit roundish or ovate, resembles its American parent, with less pulp and foxiness, and is preferred by some persons; foliage large, and in general form and appearance resembles the European va- rieties, having no down on the under side ; ripens at same time as the Isabella, and is quite as hardy, and probably more so. Allen's Bfos. 7& 8. — Not named; are both round, purplish, black grapes, very good, but only suitable for the South. In fact, most of Mr. Allen's seedlings have proved to be late in ripening, except his Nos. 5, 9, and 13. Allen's No. 9. — A very superior grape, devoid of all pulp, very juicy and delicious, as delicate and saccharineas the finest Chasselas ; berry round or compressed, white, with a pink amber tinge in the sun, as hardy as the Isabella and Catawba, and ripens two to three weeks before the former; a seedling from the Isabella impregnated by the Chasselas ; vine extremely vigorous ; foliage very diverse in form, unlike either the European or American varieties. It succeeds well both in the forcing house and the cold vinery. Allen's No. 13. — A Hybrid black grape, not yet named, veiy early, oval, firm flesh, less pulp than Isabella, of good quality and vahialsle for the table, but with the foxy flavor in an unequal degree, some berries being free from it. The foliai;e assimilates to the Isabella, fruit ripens three weeks before it, and at the same time with the preceding, but is not equal in quality. Allen's Black Hambarg, is not a hybrid; it is as tender as the other Hamburg varieties ,and only suitable for the vinery or for the Southern States, Note. — As so many attempts to hybridize European and American grapes have been unsuc- cessful, we would suggest that these failures are attributable to two causes ; one arising, doubt- lees, from the peculiar character of their inflorescence, and the other from a natui-al aversion, mesalliance or nonsanguinity. In proof of this latter position, which is far the most difficult im- pediment to surmount (and perhaps not even yet surmounted save in imagination), we will refer to the fact that Monsieur Vibert, an eminent amateur grape cultivator ofFiance, succeeded many years since in producing about twenty hybrid varieties, and inserted them in his catalogue as such, and sold young vines propagated from them before he had fruited them. When the period came for bis parent vines to produce fruit, they all proved barren (mules) and were thrown aside as worthless. We obtained these vines, and cultivated them for several years without ever ob- taining a single berry. It is a singular fact that the same incompatibility exists between all the European and Ameri- can species and varieties of the strawberry. There never has been a perfect hybrid produced. We once obtained five seedlings that were most perfectly blended in the foliage ; they were pro- fuse in their bloom, but proved utterly barren (mules). 20 CULTUREOFTHEVINE CULTURE OF THE VINE. This subject will be fully discussed and explained in a "Treatise on tlie Vine" -wbich is now in preparation by Wm. R. Prince. It comprises Uiree divisions, each jierfectly distinct in Vs character. 1st. Vineyard, or Field Culture. 2d. Garden Culture on Walls or Trellises. 3d. Vineries, or House-Culture. The first (Vineyard Culture) is of so much more importance to all Wine-producing countries than either or both of the other tw^o sections, that in France it has been denominated " Le Grand Culture." The various heads to be duly considered, are the following ; — Selection of the locality and plan of the Vineyard. Selection of the varieties of the Grape. Preparation of Soil. Best period for planting Vines. Propagation of Vines by Cuttings, Layering, Engraftmg,