Middletown transcript., 1868-11-14
Aarltulturall Aepartnlrt,t.
The scuppernong Grape,

ts's a The scuppernong Grape, 'e
We are glad to see that this delicious
fruit is beginning to attract attention at
the South, 1t Is destined to add very
largely to the RESOURCES of that section.
Its native country is Eastern North Car
olina, and was just brought to notice by
Col James Blount, who found 1t growing
wild on the banks of the Scuppernong
River. 1t has since been widely distrib-
uted throughout the South. 1t is said to
grow admirably in Arkansas. In its ma
tive State, it is considered to attain its
full perfection only in the low grounds of
the eastern counties. Connoiseurs insist
that its flavor has decidedly deteriorated
in the neighborhood of Raleigh, and west
of that it continues to diminish in delicacy
and productiveness. We ourselves have
seen it growing in gardens among the
outlying hills of the east flank of the
Blue Ridge, at an elevation of eight hun
dred or thousand feet above its native
home on tide water. 1t seemed to us to
be living there upon its eastern reputation.
It grows usually from strong stock,
and its branches spread very widely. In
stances are cited of single old vine GOV,
ering half an acre, though these state
ments are certainly exaggerated. The
general impression is that it bears pruning
badly, and cannot be cut back or trained
in trellises to advantage 1t is commonly
allowed to grow, and its arbor is extended
as the branches spread from the central
stalk.
The lunches are very small, containing
from five to ten berries each. The grapes
themselves are of large size, of pale
green color, dotted with dusky orange
spots, reminding one of certain birds
eggs. The skin is quite tough, SO that
the fruit bears handling and transporta-
tion very well. They are juicy, sweet,
and of the most delicious favor. To any
one who is really fond of grapes, his first
taste of the Scuppernong is an era in his
gastronomic existence Most persons pre-
fer their flavor to that of any other grapes.
Besides the variety which we have
just described, and which is now generally
known. there are said to be two others,
one black and one golden colored. The
former ripens later than the variety
we have described, and makes a darker
"
colored wine ~. slsf resta''iiirW aaA
It is one of the most productive Of
grapes. A single vine will produce from
20 to so bushels of fruit We have seen
| it stated that there is vine near Mobile
which produces 40 bushels, bringing its
owner over $500. Awriter from Arkan-
sas, in the Southern CatltiUator, speaks
of vine in his neighborhood, 20 years of
age, which bears from 20 to 30 bushels
annually The productiyepess increases
with the age Of the vine, and as they are
very long-lived, aourishiag for hundred
years, the man who plants them adds
largely to the future value of his estate.
A bushel of grapes gives three gallons d
juice. 1t is very hardy in its native eli
mate, being subject neither to rot nor to
mildeW. and is very sure bearer. zss
Its native soil is level, open, dry and
sandy, 1t loves low lands and the warm
sunny fields Of the tide-water districts o.
the Southern States. 1t is doubtful
whether it can be cultivated to advantage
north of Virginia or west of the Piedmont
hills, unless, indeed, the hot plains of the
Trans-Mississippi region and the warme,
portions Of the Mississippi Valley may
suit it. We donbt not, however, that the
whole tide-water region of the Atlantic
and Gulf Southern States Will be founc
suitable for its culture,
| In the matter or wine, this grape ha.
not bad fair chance The almost uni
Eersai opinion Of growers has been tha
it contained too little sugar to keep it
They have, therefore, been in the habit o
adding large quantities of sugar to tn,
juice. Not content with this, they hav,
also adulterated it with apple brandy
Little or no Scuppernong wine finds It
way to the market without undergoin,
these deteriorations. In spite of thes
barbarous manipulations, however, W,
have Never known eonnoisseur wb,
tasted the older sintages of this wine. VIII
did not admire it. Made in this way, i
is, of course. essentiallya liqueur wine
but one Of a very high order of excel
lenee, Its rich patjye aroma dominate
: over all the extraneous. admixtures, an
: produces a flavor not unlike that of tn
; world-renowned Tokay ~
The late Professor Emmons, of Mort
Carolina, for a long time the head of il
Geological Survey, had most enthusias
tic admiration for this grape, and believe
that it was destined to make the reputatio
of the South wine district He wa
much disgusted at the style of manufae
ture we have mentioned, and experimer
= ted, in his own cellar. upon the juic.
His results, it is needless TO say, swel
widely different from those obtained b
the ordinary methods Of the country B
i concentrating a portion of the must, !
n was enabled to supply very eaisly the d
: fciency Of sugar, while adding to ii
: boqnet Of the wine. The beverage th,
/ produced. was rich. amber-colored win
q of admirable body and delicious favo
e infinitely superior to any native wine whic
eI ws have yet tasted. He made bosidesth
!. dry wine, direct from the juice, withol
d. M, y q, an; mil f;on This Vrae n Sa,ffn1n