The southern press., 1851-12-03
From the Wilmington ~ CO. Herald.
North Carolina Cranes,

We received letter very rcceId& from gen.
tlcman of Fayetteville, propounding certain in
Ierrogatories respecting the Isabella, Catawbl,
and Scuppernong grapes, and in pursuance Of
suggestion therein contained, handed the
letter above named 10 DIR. Togno, gentleman
Of extensive research, and practical knowledge
upon the subject Of the grape and It's varieties,
with the request that he would furnish Us with an
answer for publication. The doctor has very
kindly complied, and we take pleasure | n pre-.
scnting his communication 10 our readers. II
will be found interesting and explanatory on
many points. We must confess however, our
disappointment at the result Of his convictions
with regard 10 the origin Of the Isabella grape.
[ appears hat be has come 10 the conclusion
that this grape Is not a native Of this State after
all, but European one, possessing all the char.
scters Of such, and none Of those Of an indigo.
nous production.
This We beve runs counter 20 the general
impression and belief prevailing for many years
in tna State, and other sections Of the country.
The Isabella was always classed, unless we are
greatly deceived, among the natural products OF
our sell, and we confess we are 10th ut this late
date 20 yield up a point which rObs North Caro-.
lima Of the maternity Of this delightful table
fruit So many year. have interviewed. and au.
thofities lost, that il 10 almost impossible al this
tim? 10 arrive at a certain conclusion il il nj
best n matter of probabilities and impressions.
While therefore we do not advance our own
opinion in opposition TO that Of scientific gen.
tlemen like DIS. McREE and TCGso, we are free
to acknowledge that in the absence Of more
conclusive proof, we prefer remaining under our
original belief The question has been narrow.
ed down TO two points,--the Isabella is either a
North Carolina or foreign production no
other State N lay claim TO il we therefore
trust that Northern writers will hereafter re.
member this fact and not locate this vine at diff.
ferent points in the Union as heretofore.
IA a not uniting sequence 20 the above, and
while we are discoursipg upon grapes, and the
purposes to which they are employed, we may
state, that bottle OF wine, made In the adIoin.
ing county of Columbia, from the ordinary Fox
grape, as il il called, "a small grape in clusters
growing in great luxuriance in the woods has
been sent to our Office On trial we found il
mild and pleasant; ii has al agreeable taste,
light body, and is free from Intoxicating effect.
Our donor designs the experiment Of age uron
its quality, and to ascertain hereafter If il retains
its original taste, il having been minated that
il would not. For our own part we do not sec
why good wines should not be made in this
State. and become in time profitable pur,uit
Certainly we wish our esteemed friend, DR.
Tugno, full realization Of his hopes, and lu.
crative return for his labors at Diccoteaux,
which presents in its improved cultivation now,
striking contrast TO its original wildness ahd
unffuitfulness.
DrccoTEAUx, Nov. lst 1851.
Ma. BURR--Dedr SIR I'm answer to the let
ter of your friend, Mr.. J. VI. Rose, Of Fayette-
vile, N. c., communicated to me this day by
you, may briefly state for his edification and
his Ohio friend, that bis queries are as many his
torical problems, not easily settled, owing to
! the bIunders, and confusion worse. COMPOUNDED.
of the writers in the various Northern periodi-
calls that have taken upon themselves to solve
this moot.point.
"wbo IL they ono. grow fond Of an oPinion,
They call IL honor, honesty, and faith,
And sooner part with life than let il go"
Row..
There is no doubt that the Skoupernong--