262 [ASSSEMBLT 



REPORT 



Of the Committee appointed hy the Convention of Farmers, Gar- 

 deners* and Silk Cnlturists, on the culture of the native grape for 

 wine, and for the table. 



Whereas, the culture of the native grape for wine and for the ta- 

 hie has been tried successfully, while every attempt to introduce the 

 foreign for vineyard purposes has failed; and whereas, the amount 

 of money that might be kept in the country, that is now sent abroad 

 for these purposes, would be many millions, which would open a new 

 field for the industry ol our people; and whereas, the well known 

 antiseptic and diluent properties of the grape, when used Ireely, ex- 

 ert a beneficial influence on the constitution, enabling it to ward off 

 the autumnal fevers, an effect observed so frequently in the vine- 

 yard districts of France, that it has become a common expression, 

 that if you use the grape freely you will escape the fall fevers. 



Therefore Resolved, That the culture of the native grape is a sub- 

 ject of primary importance, and that it be recommended to all the 

 agricultural associations over the Union, to make experiments with 

 the different kinds growling in their vicinity, to ascertain their pro- 

 perties^ to test their qualities, procure seedlings from them, and by 

 high cultivation to secure such a variety of choice grapes, as will 

 lay the foundation for as successful vineyard culture in this country 

 as has been attained in any part of Europe. 



On behalf of the committee, 



R. T. UNDERBILL, 



Chairman. 



Mr. Hall said he was not aware that he was a member of the 

 committee whose report had just been read. He dissented from some 

 of its sections. The benefit of grapes in fevers he was not prepared 

 to admit. Nor did he entirely agree with what was said in relation 

 to raising foreign grapes in open air. 



Dr. Underbill said foreign grapes could sometimes be raised with 

 great care, in gardens, but there was not a successful vineyard of 

 them in the country, though they had been tried in almost every 

 State in the Union. So far as he knew, every vineyard had entirely 

 failed. Yet if any one chooses, let him tread the beaten track of 

 failure, he would not object. 



