1847.] Acknoii'ledgments. 49 



greater than the foreign, and they require different treatment. 

 The more variable nature of our climate, the greater heat experi- 

 enced for three or four months in the year, and the comparative 

 coolness of the nights during the same })eriod, have a great influ- 

 ence upon the vines, as do also the severe drouths with which 

 we are occasionally visited in the heat of summer. * * * * 

 In selecting the ground for a vineyard, give that kind the prefer- 

 ence which is free from clay within fifteen or eighteen inches of 

 the surface, and is perfectly dry. Ground abounding in springs, 

 after thorough draining, is sometimes used, but should not be 

 selected if a preferable kind can be obtained. Sand, slate, lime- 

 stone formation, will answer well. Side hills with a S., S. E., or 

 E. aspect are generally preferred, leaving the N. (N. E. near the 

 sea-coast) and W. winds broken off, by trees, hedge, stone or 

 board fence. 



In the latitude south of the Highlands of the Hudson, I find 

 that the Isabella grapes ripen quite as well when planted in a 

 level field, protected from the north and west winds by woods or 

 hedges, as on declivities. Several of my vineyards are thus locat- 

 ed; and as far as I can perceive, the fruit ripens at about the 

 same time, and is of the same quality as when the vines are 

 planted on steep side-hills. 1 think, however, that north of the 

 Highlands side-hills would be preferable. 



To prepare the ground for a vineyard, the best way is to turn 

 under the whole of the surface soil from fd'teen to eighteen inches 

 in depth, early in the spring, after the frost is out of the ground, 

 by plowing twice in the same furrow. This will place the rich- 

 est part of the soil in a position where it will give the greatest 

 supply of nourishment to the vines. Few vineyards in this 

 country have been planted in this way; but the cost is so small, 

 and the advantages so great, that it should be done, wherever 

 there are no rocks or large stones to prevent it. Instead of 

 adopting this method of preparing the ground, many persons 

 have been content with digging large holes where they intended 

 to plant the vines, and placing in the bottom of these, six or eight 

 inches of good soil, previous to putting in the plants. A still 

 greater number have not taken the trouble to resort to either plan, 

 but have planted the vines with the same carelessness that they 

 would a common animal, instead of giving the attention and care 

 each plant should require — especially when it is expected to pro- 

 duce a fine crop of fruit ever}' season after it has commenced 

 bearing, for a hundred years. 



The Isabella with me, adds Dr. U., is more certain to give a 

 ripe crop every year than any other fruit with which I am ac- 

 quainted. It ripens its fruit two or thiee weeks earlier than the 

 Catawba, and is therefore more sure to produce a perfectly ripe 

 crop in a short season." 4 



