The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-11-29
From The Wilmington (.N CO. Herald
North Carolina Cranes.

we received a letter very recently from a gen
tleman OF Fayetteville, propounding certain in
terrogatories respecting the Isabella, Catawba
and Scuppernong grapes and in pursuance OF
suggestion therein contained, handed the
letter above named to DR.. Togno, gentleman
OF extensive research, and practical knowledge
upon the subject of tie 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 i n pre-
senting his communication to our readers II
will be found interesting and expana ory on
many points We must confess however, our
disappointment at the result of his convictions
with regard to the origin of the Isabella grape
appears hat he has come to the conclusion
that this grape Is not native of this State after
all buta European one, possessing all the char
scters Of such, and none of those Of an indigo
nous production.
This we belive runs counter TO the general
Impression and belief prevailing for many yeara
in this State and other sections of the country.
The Isabella was always cassed, unless we are
greatly deceived among the natural products of
our soil, and we confess we are 10th at this late
date to yield up point which robs North Caro-
lima Of the maternity of this delightful table
fruit SO many years have interviewed, and au
time to arrive at a certain conclusion it is at
best matter of probabilities and Impressions
While therefore we do not advance our own
opinion in opposition to that of scientific gen
tlemen like Drs 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 can 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 rs heretofore
AS not uniting sequence to the above, and
while we are dlscoursing upon grapes, and the
purposes to which they are employed, we nav
state that a bottle of wine, made in the adjoin.
ing county of Columbia, from the ordinary Fox
grape, as it is called "a small grape in clusters
growing in great luxuriance in the woods) has
been sent TO our Office. On a trial we found il
mild and pleasant; it has al agreeable tastey a
light body, and is-1ree from intoxicating effect.
Our donor designs the experiment of age uron
It's quality and TO ascertain hereafter if il retains
its original taste, it having been intimated that
1t would not. For our own part we do not see
why good wines should not be made in this
State, and become in time profitable pursuit
certainly we wish our esteemed friend, DR.
.Togno,a full realization Of his hopes, and a lu-
cratlve return for his labors at Diccoteaux,
which presents in its improved cultivation now
a striking contrast to its original wildness and
uniruitlulness.
DIccoTEAUx, Nov. 1st, 1851
Mr. BURR-Dear Sir I'm answer TO the let
ter of your friend, Mr. j. M. Rose, of Fayette-
vile, N. G., communicated to me this day by
you, ! may briefly state for bis edi6cation and
his Ohio friend that his queries are as many his
torcal problems, not easily settled, owing to
the blunders, and confusion worse confounded
of the writer's in the various Northern periodi-
calls that have taken upon themselves to solve
this moot-point.
"Who il they once grow fond Of an opinion,
They call il honor, honesty, and faith,
And sooner part with life than let it 60"
ROWE.
There is no doubt that the Skoupernong-