MARCH.] THE VINEYARD. 235 



which are called hybrids or mules ; the most noted are, 1. Alex- 

 ander's or Tasker's grape ; 2. Eland's grape ; 3. That called the 

 Racoon-grape. From either of these hybrids, it is probable that 

 good wine may be produced ; but I shall leave that to the experi- 

 ence of those who have made, or wish to make the experiment. At 

 the same time, I would suggest the idea of grafting some of the 

 best European kinds, on our most vigorous native vines, which, no 

 doubt, would answer a very good purpose. 



Soil and Situation. 



The first and most important thing, to be considered in plant- 

 ing a Vineyard, is the choice of soil and situation ; for on these, de- 

 pend much of the ultimate success. That, best adapted for a 

 Vineyard, is a light, rich, deep, loam ; on a chalky, limestone, flinty, 

 or gravelly bottom ; it should be naturally, from one to two feet deep, 

 of good mellow earth, ormade so by art: a deeper soil is unnecessary 

 for any tree or shrub whatever, that is not cultivated on accour tofits 

 roots; and although Vines may shoot more vigourously in such, 

 and produce a greater quantity of fruit, which, by the bye, is very 

 questionable, yet they ripen later, and their juice is more crude, 

 than that of those which draw their nourishment, from earth within 

 the influence of the sun, air, rains, dews, &c. 



The situation should be on an an elevation, inclining to the south, 

 south-east, or south-west ; and if having all these exposures, the 

 better, as the various kinds could have different situations according 

 to their natures, and necessities. The ground should have -a gra- 

 dual descent, that the moisture may be drained off; but if toq rapid, 

 it will be more difficult to labour, as the plough cannot then be used ; 

 and besides, it will be less retentive of manure, and consequently 

 will require a greater quantity, and more frequently administered. 

 If at a distance, there are large hills, or elevated woods, to defend 

 it from the north and north-westerly winds, the better. 



The immediate neighbourhood should be open; and, if hilly, 

 towards the north, and north-west, the better : it should be free 

 from swamps, or widely extended woods ; for, under such circum- 

 stances, the air would frequently be replete with too great a quan- 

 tity of moisture, occasioned by the perspiration of the trees, and 

 the exhalations from the adjoining swamps, whereby both vines and 

 fruit would be greatly subjected to what is called the mildew. It 

 has been observed, in the middle states, particularly by Mr. Peter 

 Legaux, of Spring-Mill, near Philadelphia, that the more easterly 

 the exposure, the more are the vines and fruit liable to become 

 mildewed ; and that, in a south-west exposure, they are less sub- 

 ject to it than in any other. 



Those who wish to cultivate grapes for the table only, and that 

 have not the advantage of the kind of soil above described, need not 

 despair of having good fruit for that purpose, as vines will grow 

 and bear well in any dry and tolerably rich ground ; that is, neither 

 sandy nor light to excess, nor too clayey or binding ; for a tolerably 

 stiff loam will do well enough, with the assistance of good cul- 

 ture. 



