-47- 

 EXCERPTS FROM JEFFERSON'S "GARDEN BOOK" 



Jefferson also kept a "Garden Book," the original of which is also in 



the Massachusetts Historical Society at Boston. The United States 



Department of Agriculture Library has a photostat copy. 



The following excerpt concerning the planting of a 



grapery on April 6, 1809 is from pages 15-17. 



Planted 30. [grape] vines just below where the new garden wall will 

 run, towards the Westermost end. S of them at the Westermost end of 

 the row were Spanish Raisins from Colo Bland's, next to them were 16. 

 native vines from Winslov/'s in New Kent, and at the Eastermost end 

 were 6. native vines of Monticello. They were planted by some Tuscan 

 Vignerons who came over with Mr Mazzie, The manner was as follows. 



A trench 4,f. deep and 4.f. wide was dug. at the bottom were put 

 small green bushes, and on them a thin coat of dung and earth mixed, 

 which raised the bed to within 2^ feet of the surface. The cuttings 

 which were from 3^ to 6.f. long, and which had been hitherto buried 

 in the earth, were then produced, about 18.1. of their butts were 

 dipt into a thick paste made of cowdung and v/ater and then planted 

 in the bottom, the Raisins 3.f. apart. The rest about 2.f. having 

 a stick stuck by each to which it was bound with bear grass in order 

 to support it while the earth should be drawn in. The earth was 

 then thrown in, the mould first, and afterwards the other earth 

 in the same order in which it was dug. leaving the bottom clay for the 

 last. The earth was thrown in very loose & care was taken to avoid 

 trampling in it. The trench was not quite filled, but left somewhat 

 hollowing to receive & retain the water, & the superfluous earth was 

 left on each side without the trench. Then the supporting sticks were 

 drawn out and would have served for the other rows had the plantation 

 been to be continued in such a case. The rows are to be 4 f. apart, 

 so that in fact the whole surface is taken up to the depth of 4.f. 

 The best way of doing it is to dig every other trench, and leave the 

 earth which is thrown out exposed for a twelvemonth. Then the vines 

 may be planted at any time from the middle of November to the first 

 week in April, afterwards dig the other alternate trenches, and leave 

 the earth of these also exposed for a twelvemonth. when the latter 

 trenches are planted, leave the superfluous earth in ridges between 

 the rows till by the subsidence of the earth it becomes necessary to 

 pull it into the trenches. if any of your grapes turn out illy, 

 cut off the vine & ingraft another on the stock. an acre in vines 

 where they are 2-^ f apart in the row will admit 4316. in all. 



