PREFACE TO THE FIFTH EDITION. 



THE y&ir 1853 was the most favorable for the Grape Crop since 

 1848, and the yield unusually large, averaging about 650 gal- 

 lons to the acre, from the best cultivated vineyards, and from a 

 few, 800 to 900 gallons. The writer obtained from 5 acres, 4,236 

 gallons, or 847 gallons per acre. In some parts of the country, 

 the crop was shortened by the " rot," and in many vineyards by 

 careless cultivation; so that the average yield for the whole county 

 did not exceed 400 gallons to the acre. 



In CULTURE, nothing new has been discovered within the last 

 year. A light dressing of ashes, turned in with the first spring 

 hoeing or ploughing, is still thought to be a valuable application, 

 to correct acidity in the soil and in the grape. 



In SUMMER PRUNING, more wood should be left in dry seasons 

 than in wet ones. 



In making the Wine, it is now though best not to stem the 

 grapes, as the " tannin " contained in the stems is supposed "to be 

 necessary, in some seasons, to clarify the Wine. The juice from 

 the last pressing of each pressful, should be put with the inferior 

 wine, as its weakness and astringency injures the good. 



MARCH 7th, 1854. 



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