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GRAPES AND GRAPE CULTURE IN ESSEX 

 COUNTY. 



BY DR. J. W. GOODELL, OF LYNN. 



There is an old saying, "■ Wine is the milk of old age." 

 This may be substantially true for the sick, but our prefer- 

 ence is to take it in the original package, of a well ripened 

 bunch of good grapes, fresh from the vine, with the bloom 

 and bouquet still on the outside. Then we can sa}^ with 

 truth " It cheers without inebriating." In this form it 

 stimulates digestion, and is an acknowledged blood maker, 

 building up the system in all wasting diseases, like con- 

 sumption, and its scrofulous kindred ailments. In cer- 

 tain foreign countries the use of the grape has the title of 

 the " Grape cure," each patient eating several pounds 

 per day, and gaining both strength and flesh. We much 

 prefer this form of the elixir of phosphates to that put up 

 in bottles (and sold at one dollar per bottle or six for five 

 dollars by some unprincipled quack). 



Granting that the grape is a good and wholesome fruit, 

 we naturally have the desire to grow it in our own gardens, 

 and are willing to receive any light gained by the experi- 

 ence and observation of those who shall have spent time 

 and money in striving to accomplish that object. 



The first question to be decided is, " In what kind of 

 soil does the vine flourish best ?" The vine may grow in 

 almost any soil, but does not flourish unless the ground is 

 well drained, sandy loam well enriched with old well 

 rotted fertilizer. It requires water but from the surface, 

 instead of the sub-soil. The situation should be fully ex- 

 posed to the sun, and a free circulation of air, though 

 sheltered from the north and west winds, which are liable 

 to cause blighting of the young fruit. 



Having decided upon your location and properly pre- 

 pared the soil, comes the very important question as to 

 the variety to be planted. 



