88 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



The grape has been cultivated from the earliest ages, and has 

 always been considered the type of plenty and felicity. To sit 

 under one's own vine and fig tree in security was thought to be 

 the height of human happiness. In all ages grape-growing 

 has been at the head of all fruit culture ; and those lands whose 

 soil and climate permitted their cultivation, were reckoned 

 peculiarly favored by nature, and coveted by mankind. 



In Europe the Eastern grape, originally brought from Syria, 

 and gradually acclimated, has been grown for ages, and wine 

 made from it has attained a vast commercial importance. 



It was early introduced into this country, and intelligent hor- 

 ticulturists have cultivated it in all our various climates, but, 

 except under glass, without success, even in our southern 

 States, where the climate is considered peculiarly favorable to 

 the grape. 



"Whether this is owing to the vicissitudes of our variable 

 climate, greater than those of France and of the west coast of 

 Europe, or to soil and cultivation, is not of much consequence ; 

 the fact is patent, and we must turn to other varieties if we 

 hope for success in raising grapes and making wine. 



Fortunately, we have grapes native to the soil, and adapted to 

 our climate. Of these, I shall only speak of the Vitis Labrusca, 

 which is found from Maine to New Jersey, growing wild and 

 rampant in our pastures and by our water courses. 



This grape is characterized by its thick foliage, strongly cili- 

 ated on its under surface and around the stomata or breathing 

 pores, its long jointed wood — good sign of vigor — often rough 

 and bristly, and its perfect hardiness. It is not, however, good 

 enough for the table, in its natural state, having a tough pulp 

 and a disagreeable aroma, commonly designated as foxy. But 

 its complete adaptation to our variable climate, its hardy char- 

 acter, and comparative indifference to soil and location, point it 

 out as the parent of the grapes — yet to come — which shall be 

 good enough to satisfy the fastidious fruit grower, and by its 

 abundant crops give a liberal income to the intelligent cultiva- 

 tor. We have arrived now at that stand point from which we 

 can see the error of our fathers in relying upon the European 

 grape. In all sections of the country cultivators of skill and 



