THE VINEYARDS OF THE WEST. 46 7 



to be from the pen of R. Buchanan, Esq., president of the Cincin- 

 nati Horticultural Society. It deals more with facts, actual expe- 

 rience, and observation, and less with speculation, supposition, and 

 belief, than any thing on this topic that has yet appeared in the 

 United States. In other words, a man may take it, and plant a 

 vineyard, and raise grapes with success. He may even make good 

 wine ; but no book can wholly teach this latter art, which must 

 come by the use of one's eyes and hands in the business itself. 



Among other interesting facts, which we glean from this pam- 

 phlet, are the following : The number of acres of vineyard culture, 

 within twenty miles of Cincinnati, is seven hundred and forty-three. 

 Those belong to 264 proprietors and tenants. Mr. Longworth owns 

 122 acres, cultivated by 27 tenants. 



The average product per acre in 1848 (a good season) was 300 

 gallons to the acre. In 1849 (the worst year ever known) it was 

 100 gallons. One vineyard of two acres (that of Mr. Rentz) has 

 yielded 1300 gallons in a season. New Catawba wine, at the press, 

 brings 75 cents a gallon. When ready for sale, it readily commands 

 about $1.25 per gallon. 



The best vineyard soil on the Ohio, as in the old world, is one 

 abounding with lime. A " dry calcareous loam " is the favorite soil 

 near Cincinnati. This is well drained and trenched, two or three 

 feet deep, before planting the vines ; trenching being considered in- 

 dispensable, and being an important part of the expense. The vines, 

 one year old, may be had for $6 per 100, and are usually planted 

 three by six feet apart about 2,420 vines to the acre. They are 

 trained to single poles or stakes, in the simple mode common in 

 most wine countries ; and the product of the Catawba per acre is 

 considerably more than that of the wine-grape in France. 



