PREFACE. 



THE formation of a code of rules for any partictfar species of culture, is an 

 undertaking arduous in itself, and at the same time attended with great re- 

 sponsibility. The author in the present case is sensible of the peculiar delicacy 

 of the task, and whilst he is desirous of devoting his unwearied exertions, to- 

 gether with any degree of ability he may possess, towards perfecting the object 

 in view, he must at the same time crave from his fellow-citizens, the extension 

 of their kind indulgence towards its imperfections, premising that any errors 

 into which he may have been inadvertently led, will cheerfully be orrected 

 when apprised of their existence. In the present case it is far from the preten- 

 sions of the author to claim or aspire to entire originality. A species of culture 

 recorded from the time of Noah, and which has been extending in Europe, from 

 the period of the birth of our Saviour to the present day, and withal one of the 

 most interesting character, could not fail to have received the aid of the bright- 

 est talents of every age towards its advancement and development. 



It is with the various species of culture long known to the world, as it is 

 with political knowledge; our Government and National policy derive their 

 perfection from a consideration of the experiments made by the nations which 

 have preceded us. Our country in like manner borrows from every other 

 nation the lessons of experience they present, and profits by the intelligence 

 of her citizens, in seeking to enforce and improve upon what others have 

 acquired. 



Of similar character must be the introduction of the vine culture, and the 

 establishment of the wine press. We must collect from the four corners of the 

 earth all that combined intelligence and experience can offer, and then mark 

 out the course most profitable for us to adopt, adding thereto such im- 

 provements as our own knowledge would indicate. In accordance with this 

 view of the subject, it is the anxious purpose of the author that this work 

 should present the concentrated intelligence of every clime derived from all the 

 experience of the past. 



The vineyards of Europe are composed solely of the varieties of a single 

 species of the vine, and thataforeign one transplanted to her soil. In our country 

 numerous species and varieties are every where met with, springing up sponta- 

 neously in our woods and prairies, nature's own gifts unaided by culture or by toil. 

 Hence we possess not only all the advantages that France and the other wine 

 countries enjoy, from our having already introduced the choicest varieties which 

 those climes can boast, but this advantage is enhanced by the numerous varie- 

 ties which our own country presents to us. And in a comparison of our natural 

 situation with Persia and other countries of the east, as regards the number of 



