The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-08-21
THE VINES OF NORTH CAROLINA.

N. u, we copy the lOIIoNliS5
article:
GRAPES.
l. SUMNER GRAPE (Vitis astivalis, MichxJ
Common as are the other species, excepting the
Auscadine, in most parts of The United States
In this State it is found in all the DISTRICTS gen
erally near streams, but sometimes IN dry WOODS,
climbing over trees from 80 to 30 feet. The leaves
are to inches broad, cut into 3 or D divisions,
the underside clothed with a reddish, cobweb-hke
down when Young which mostly falls away in the
course of the season. The punches of fruit are
compound, to inches long, the berries to
inch thick, purplish, blackish or blush, with a
bloom; very varying in flavor, frequently very
fine.
According to H. W. Ravenel, Esq, of Aiken,
South Carolina, who is good BotanIst, as well
as successful cultivator of Grapes, the following
cultivated varieties are descended from this spe-
eies: The Warren, Pauline, Ilerbcmont, Guignard,
Clinton, Ohio, Marion, Treveling, Long Grape or
Old House. Marlborough Seabrook and Lenoir.
With this last he Identifies the Black july Dew
ereux, Thurmond, Sumpter and Lincoln Grapes
find however, that there is difference of opin-
ION in regard TO the identity of the LenOir and
Lincoln varieties some maintaining perceptltie
difference, the latter being deemed superior to the
other DR. G. l.. Hunter, of Lincoln, who is pay
ing much attention to Grape culture, especially Of
our native varieties, pronounces the LeniOr Cor
LincOln) Zone of the very best table Grapes, and
recommends its general cultivation.
/ learn from the same gentleman, that the Lin
coin Grape was discovered about the beginning of
this century, near the junction of the South Fork
and Catawba, by DIR. VIM Mclean, and that he
transplanted the whole vine near his house. From
this stock Mr. John Hart of Mecklenburg, derived
his, which is still in vigorous existence. From
this last, DIR. Butt, of Linconton, obtained his
cuttings, and sent some of the fruit to Longworth,
who gave it the name, most in use, of the
Lincoln Grape, though it was previously known as
the Hart Grape, and Mclean Grape.
2. Fox GRAPE. (V. Labrusca, Linn j have
met with this only in the Middle District where
it is found in damp thickets, running from Is to
25 or 80 feet. The leaves are roundish, about the
same size as those Of No. l, but not so much div-
died. and covered underneath with permanent
thick down, which is generally white gray
rarely of faint rusty hue. The berries are larger
than in that, being to inch in diameter, in
small punches, commonly dark purple, but some
times amber-colorcd or whitish, and of various
quality, mostly with musky and rather hard
pulp.
The cultivated varieties of this are, according to
MIR Ravcnel, the Isabella, Catawba Bands Madei-
IA, Concord, Diana, Rcbccca, To Kalon, Anna,
Mary Isabel, Ontario, Northern Muscad;nc. Hart
ford Prolific, Catawissa Garrigucs Stetson's Seed
ling, York Madeira, Hydes Eliza, Union Village,
Early Chocolate, Harvard, Early Black, Green
Prolific kilvington The first two in the list are,
believe, the most approved, and most extensive
ly cultivated; both of which are said to have orr
ginated in this State.
foreign origin has been claimed for the Isa-
bella, but this is an evident error, proved in the
fact that seedlings ofthe Isabella sometimes revert
to our Fox Grape in every particular of leaf and
fruit This has been tested by Mr. Caraaeuc, of
South Carolina, as | learn from Mr. Ravenel. But
what is regarded a scientific demonstration of
its American origin is the fact that its seedlings
sometimes have barren stocks like all our Ameri-
can species, which is not the case with any Euro
pean Grapes. Besides, the Isabella. in its specific
characters comes nearer to our Fox Grape than to
any other
DIR. Hunter, who has given much attention to
the history of our Grapes has communicated most
OF the following items in regard to the Isabella
DR. Laspeyre was probably its first cultivator in
the United States, probably early 1905 as he
sold it in the Wilmington market in 1910. Judge
Ruffin cultivated it in Orange county in 1911 I'M
der the name of Iaspeyre Grape. 1t is a tradition
that Gov. Smith brought it to Smithville in 1909
About the year 1910 Mrs Isabella Gibbs took
rooted cutting from Gov SIS garden to Brooklyn,
New York, according to a current account Ac-
cording to Dr. Laspeyre, she got the vine from
HIM These statements may, in a sort, be recon- |
clled, if Gov. s got his stock from Dr. Laspevre |
In 1919, Gen. Swift bought the Gibbs place. and !
it was there the elder Prince first saw and obtained
this Grape, which he named the Isabella in com |
pliment to Mrs Gibbs. DIR Hunter has some of |
these statements from Gen. Swift. DR. Laspeyre |
was under the impression that this which he tall-
ed the Black Cape, one of the vines which he |
brought from st. Domingo, but it was probably |
the accidental introduction of an American among
his foreign stocks DIR. Hunter seems to be of
opinion that it came to the Cape Fear region from
South Carolina, according with the tradition men,
toned in DR. Hawks History
The Catawba Grare, as l am informed by DIR. |
Hunter originated in Buncombe county on Cain |
Greek, an affiuent of the French Broad His
views on "The Origin of the Catawba Grape -
were given last year (1S59) in an article for the
American Farmer
). MUsCADINE. (V. vulpina, Linn )-Known
also as Bullaee, Bull Grape and Bullet Grape and
farther South Fox Grape; in Florida, as Mus
tang Grape 1T extends northward as far as Mary
land and Kentucky, from whence southwark it is
one OF the most common Vines In this State it
Is found in various Soils from the coast to Chero-
kee, but most luXuriant in the light soils of the
Lower District covering the loftiest trees The
bark Is pale and smooth that of the smaller branch
es dotted with minute warts The leaves are
about 3 inches long, thin, smooth and shining,
coarsetoothcd, nearly round and heart-shaped
The berries are in small bunches larger and thick
er-sklnned than any Of our other Grapes, varying
in color from whitish through different shades of
red and purple to ebony black The quality of
the fruit varies much as its color. being now of
sharp acid flavor and again of luscious sweet |