MARCH.] THE VINEYARD. 227 



pressed, discountenance its cultivation. We have similar climates, 

 and as suitable soil and situations, as are to be found in any of the 

 countries where this plant is cultivated, and what to attribute this 

 infidelity to, I am at a loss to know. What do they perceive insalu- 

 brious, in the air, or unfriendly to vegetable life in the soil of America, 

 any more than in transatlantic countries ; or are they led astray by 

 prejudiced European writers, whose envy, or want of knowledge, or 

 perhaps both, had prompted them to assert, that neither animals or 

 vegetables arrive at as good or as great perfection in America, as in 

 Europe ? However, a little time and some industry, will show that 

 this prejudice is erroneous, and that the Vine, can be cultivated, in 

 the far greater part of the Union, to immense national, as well as 

 individual advantage 



The Vine was originally introduced into Europe from Asia minor; 

 and even in the days of Lucullus, the Romans were seldom able to 

 regale themselves with its juice, very little wine being made at that 

 time within the compass of Italy ; and the foreign wines, which 

 they imported from Asia, were so dear, that they were rarely intro- 

 duced at an entertainment, and when they were, each guest was 

 indulged only with a single draught. But in the seventh century 

 of Rome, as their conquests augmented the degree of their wealth, 

 this luxury was sought after with avidity, and wines became the 

 object of particular attention. In the progress of their conquests, 

 the westerly parts of the European continent, was at once subjected 

 to the Arms and enriched with the Vines, of Italy ; its cultivation 

 went on but slowly for some time, in these countries, where, since 

 it has become a staple article of great national importance, perhaps, 

 occasioned by the same kind of doubts, fears, prejudices, and appre- 

 hensions, that now operate against it, in the United States; but 

 these at length were surmounted, by the industry of a few culti- 

 vators, who had penetration enough to perceive its practicability, 

 and who, no doubt, were amply remunerated, in consequence of 

 being first in market with large quantities : others perceiving their 

 fortunate success, copied their examples, in expectation of obtaining 

 like profits. Similar to this will be its progress in America, and 

 those who first commence the business by planting on an extensive 

 scale, will assuredly reap the richest harvests. 



The culture of the Vine will for some time be an experimental 

 business with us ; however, the first object is to obtain the kinds 

 that will immediately, or soonest, accommodate themselves to the 

 different regions of the Union ; perhaps those from Madeira, or the 

 Cape of Good Hope, would best suit in the southern states, those 

 from the south of Europe in the middle, and those from Bur- 

 gundy, Champagne, Switzerland, Bourdeaux, or the banks of the 

 Rhine, in the eastern states, Trials of this kind should be. made, 

 and the result carefully attended to ; and indeed, each and every of 

 the states, should give a fair trial to the vines of every country, from 

 whence they can be procured; by which means, and by which only, 

 they can discover those best adapted to their respective soils and 

 Climates. 





