THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 185 



hardly be realized from our vineyards, in consequence of it. 

 I have noticed, that, whenever wheat is injured by the rust, 

 the grape is, to a proportionate extent, affected by the rot. 

 They, doubtless, originate from a common cause. As to 

 Avhat that cause is, great diversity of opinion exists. My 

 observation does not enable me to give, with confidence, 

 any opinion on the subject. The young shoots, in spring, are 

 seldom injured by frost, except in low grounds. This fact is 

 now beginning to be understood by our farmers, and the 

 highest ground is selected, for both vineyards and orchards. 



" I have never tried any of the foreign varieties, Mr. 

 Longworth's experience having satisfied me, that it would be 

 but a waste of time and money. 



" There are a considerable number of vineyards in our 

 county, — I cannot, of course, speak with entire accuracy, — 

 but I think I cannot be far wrong, in estimating the quantity 

 of land devoted, at present, to the culture of the grape, in 

 this county, at from one hundred to one hundred and twenty 

 acres. In this estimate, I do not mean to include small por- 

 tions grown merely for family use, but vineyards intended for 

 the manufacture of wine. This quantity will, probably, be 

 doubled in the course of two years more. The vineyards on 

 the hills seem to do much better than those immediately on 

 the river- In the rich, alluvial bottoms, they do not succeed 

 well, the fruit almost invariably rotting. ~ 



" With regard to the profit, a careful cultivator may safely 

 calculate on two hundred gallons of wine per acre, one year 

 with another ; he may, with as much certainty, calculate on 

 selhng the juice at the press, at from sixty to eighty cents 

 per gallon, making the proceeds, per acre, from one hun- 

 dred and twenty to one hundred and sixty dollars. The same 

 labor that will cultivate twenty acres of corn, will sufiice for 

 ten acres of grapes. The twenty acres of corn, when gath- 

 ered, may, at the best prices and best crops, be worth two 

 hundred and fifty dollars ; the ten acres of grapes, from 

 twelve hundred to sixteen hundred dollars. This, however, 

 24 



