GEOLOGICAL REPORT. 11 



suitable in an eminent degree for many of onr staple crops, 

 and especially for 



Notwithstanding the true principles of grape culture are so 

 little understood by the community at large, no department of 

 agriculture has been more carefully investigated, more distinctly 

 denned and reduced to scientific principles. Since Virgil 

 wrote his masterly treatise upon the habits and cultivation of 

 the vine, the principles which should govern its culture, have 

 been within the reach of all who would investigate the struc- 

 ture of this plant and learn the soil and climate adapted to its 

 perfect development. And, indeed, it could scarcely be other- 

 wise, as the vine has occupied so prominent a position in the 

 husbandry of almost all the enlightened nations of ancient and 

 modern times. 



Since Noah planted a vineyard, the vine has followed the 

 progress of husbandry and civilization throughout India, Ara- 

 bia, Palestine, and Southern Europe. It holds an important 

 place in the history of those seats of ancient civilization and 

 progress. The " vine-clad hill" occupied a conspicuous posi- 

 tion in every landscape, and the juice of the grape had its place 

 at the social board and ruled the joys of the banquet hall. 

 While it held so important a position among the nations, its 

 value led the ablest minds to investigate its habits and deduce 

 the best modes of culture from the experience of the many en- 

 gaged in the pleasant pursuit. Solomon investigated the prop- 

 erties of the vine, and Virgil gave so excellent a treatise upon 

 its habits and culture that the investigations and experience of 

 the last two thousand years have added but little to the know- 

 ledge then possessed. 



Since then the habits of the vine, and the modes of culture 

 best adapted to it, have been so carefully determined, and so 

 thoroughly established by the experience of the last four thou- 

 sand years, it only remains for the cultivators of our times to 

 investigate the modes of culture so long and so successfully 



* The vast importance of this subject, induced me to make a most thorough 

 examination of all the facts showing the adaptation of the soil and climate of 

 this region to the culture of the grape. The results of these investigations are 

 most satisfactory. 



