242 THE VINEYARD. [March. 



4th. The Vitis serolina, or winter-grape, by some called the 

 Bermudian grape. 



There are several varieties produced by the intermixtures of the 

 above with one another, or with the varieties of the Vitis vinifera, 

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

 ander's or Tasker's grape; 2. Bland'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 expe- 

 rience 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 planting 

 a vineyard, is the choice of soil and situation; for on these depend 

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

 is a light, rich, deep loam; on a chalky, limestone, flinty, or gra- 

 velly bottom; it should be naturally from one to two feet deep, of 

 good mellow earth, or made so by art: a deeper soil is unnecessary 

 for any tree or shrub whatever, that is not cultivated on account of 

 its roots; and although vines may shoot more vigorously 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 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 oft; but if too 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 



