STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 287 



that season ; and I could discover no difference between their after growth and that of 

 others pruned In early winter. 



FJSBBUA.BT. — Dr. Charles Hay read Hi" following Essay on 



VINE CULTURE AND WINE. 



The subject for discussion, at the present meeting of our Society, being Vine Culture 

 and Wine, I have resolved to make the same the thesis for whatever I may offer in the 

 way of an address. There baring been already considerable capital and labor invested 

 in the culture of the grape, and the manufacture of wine in our country, and the sub- 

 baving engaged the attention of our National Legislature for a number of years 

 past, it is but just and proper that we should give a portion of our time and atten- 

 tion to what lias become a matter of national importance. 



In regard to vine culture, it is not to be expected that a full treatise can be given in 

 one address, especially by one whose experience is very limited, and who is in much 

 more need of Instruction than those whom he attempts to enlighten. I will say this, 

 ■ ever, at the commencemenl : He who would make a fair beginning in planting a 

 vineyard, should, in the lirt-t place, have his ground well plowed to the depth of eigh- 

 teen to twenty in dies, if possible, in the fall previous to planting. He should then 

 purchase only tir.-t class plants of whatever varieties he may have selected for his vine- 

 yard. Layers from vines already in bearing, I think, are preferable to those from vines 

 not yet come into bearing ; and if plants raised from cuttings have to be used, those 

 produced from matured vines and from wood well ripened, of the previous year's growth, 

 and well rooted, should alone be used. If con venicnt, purchase only of nurserymen 

 whose established character for responsibility and fair dealing will be a guarantee that 

 what they offer will be of the quality and kind ordered. My own experience has taught 

 me that second, third and fourth of either classes of vines or fruit trees should never be 

 planted at ail in either vineyard or orchard. 



With regard to varieties of grapes to be cultivated, we have yet much to learn. The 

 Catawba, one of the l>est, if not the best, either lor wine or the table, has become uncer- 

 tain in its crop on account of its liability to mildew and rot. The Delaware, a very line 

 grape either for wine or the table, is delicate in its growth, and Will only grow and 

 flourish well in particular localities; these localities, I would say, being on southern 

 slopes, a light, well drained clay soil, inclined to sandy. It ripens early, and on this 

 • unt will always be a good market grape. The Iona and Israelis arc both very fine 

 grapes, ripening early, and may prove to be good and hardy growers : hut as yet the 

 high prices at which the first class of these plants have been sold, have deterred nest 

 cultivators from planting them extensively. The Concord, on account of its hardiness 

 and prolific character, and its adaptation to almost all soils, has won a popularity which 

 no other one variety has obtained. The Clinton, from its hardiness, being sufficient to 

 withstand our mosl rigorous winter-, is becoming a popular variety, and it possi seed of 

 more saccharine and Less acid character, would soon become a very popular variety. It 

 i- a rampant (jrower, and should have plenty of trellis, other varieties which have been 

 introduced into our vineyards, such as the Norton's Virginia, Taylor's Bullitt, Hartford 

 Prolific, Herbemont, Ives' Seedling, Diana, &c., promise well as far as they have been 



tried, and should receive further trial in our vineyards. 

 With regard to the culture of the vine, I would here say that from my own limited 



