[52] New English Canaan, 1632. Reprinted in Force’s Tracts, 1838.
[53] Vine, much differing in the fruit, all of them very fleshy, some reasonably pleasant; others have a taste of Gun Powder, and these grow in swamps, and low wet Grounds. Josselyn, John, Gent. New England’s Rarities: 66. London, 1672.
[54] Speaking of the Horne-bound tree (probably hornbeam from his description) he says: “This Tree growing with broad spread Armes, the vines winde their curling branches about them; which vines affoard great store of grapes, which are very big both for the grape and Cluster, sweet and good: these be of two sorts, red and white, there is likewise a smaller kind of grape which groweth in the Islands which is sooner ripe and more delectable; so that there is no knowne reason why as good wine may not be made in those parts, as well as in Burdeuax in France; being under the same degree. It is a great pittie no man sets upon such a venture, whereby he might in small time inrich himselfe, and benefit the Countrie, I know nothing which doth hinder but want of skilfull men to manage such an employment; For the countrey is hot enough, the ground good enough, and many convenient hills lye towards the south Sunne, as if they were there placed for the purpose.” Wood, William. New England’s Prospect: 20. London, 1634.
[55] Lawson, John. History of North Carolina: 169-171. 1714, Reprint 1860.
[56] Lawson, John. History of North Carolina: 141. 1714, Reprint 1860.
[57] Ib.: 184-189.
[58] Beverly, Robert. History of Virginia: 105-107. 1722, Reprint 1855.
[59] Transactions American Philosophical Society, 1:191-193. 1769-71.
[60] The True American, Philadelphia, March 24, 1800.
[61] But little is known of Dr. James Mease other than that he was one of the editors of The Domestic Encyclopedia, a Fellow of the American Philosophical Society and Vice-President of the Philadelphia Agricultural Society. That he was a student of American grapes is shown in his letter of transmissal of Bartram’s paper to the Medical Repository in which he says: “It is my present intention to publish the description of one species of vine every year in Latin and English, with a coloured plate, and I had made arrangements for the publication of the first fascicle last year; but the very unfavourable season, which had prevented the ripening of the species (Bland’s Grape) I had resolved first to describe, obliging me to defer the task until the present year, when I hope the weather will prove more favourable. Medical gentlemen, and others fond of natural history, and anxious to have the description of American vines and their classification completed, will have it much in their power to assist my undertaking. I have taken measures to have the Bull or Bullet grape of Carolina and Georgia sent me; but I shall nevertheless be much indebted for any specimens of the plant that may be transmitted.”