44 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



STATISTICS. 



THE COST OF ESTABLISHING A VINEYARD. 



The cost of establishing a vineyard depends much on the 

 position and soil ; and on the resources for labor within the 

 family of the proprietor ; or, of the tenant who takes the 

 ground on a twelve or fifteen years' lease. It has been usual 

 to give a piece of land, of say fifteen to twenty acres, with a 

 small house on it, to a German vine-dresser, on a lease of 

 twelve or fifteen years, binding the tenant to plant a certain 

 quantity in grapes each year in a proper manner — and at least 

 five or six acres within as many years, he paying the proprie- 

 tor one-half the proceeds of the vineyard annually after bear- 

 ing — and one-half of any fruit raised from trees furnished by 

 the proprietor, who also furnishes roots or cuttings for the first 

 two or three acres planted in grapes. 



Mr. LoNGwoRTH observes : — " I would not recommend any 

 individual to hire hands, and cultivate the grape extensively 

 for wine, with a view to profit. But I would recommend 

 landlords to rent from fifteen to twenty acres to Germans, for 

 vineyards and orchards, on shares. We have more to learn 

 in the manufacture of the wine, than in the cultivation of the 

 grape. And I would recommend our German vine-dressing 

 emigrants, to purchase or lease a few acres of rough, cheap 

 land on the Ohio, or near it, with a view to the cultivation of 

 the grape. Land will be suitable for it, that is too rough for 

 the plow, and eight or ten acres will give employment to a 

 whole family." 



No accurate statistics of the cost per acre of planting a 

 vineyard can be found, except those of the writer (where 

 everything was paid for in money, and a regular account 

 kept), and of Mr. Resor's vineyard. 



Cost of a vineyard of six acres — fourteen thousand four 

 hundred vines : 



