INTRODUCTION. clxi 



been found in Georgia and the Ohio valley. The impression is, that in the middle and eastern States 

 the climate is too cold to elaborate sufficient saccharine matter in the grape to make a wine that 

 will keep without the addition of sugar. But this may prove a mistake new varieties may yet be 

 produced to suit each section of our country where the grape is grown. They are now numbered by 

 hundreds, and new hybrids are annually added to the lists. After all our experience during the last 

 seventy years, vine culture in the United States is but yet in its infancy, and we have much to learn. 

 The few millions of gallons which we produce annually, are as nothing when compared to the nine hun 

 dred millions of France, or the three thousand millions of all Europe. The vineyards of Europe are 

 estimated at twelve millions of acres. We have far more grape territory than that in the United 

 States; but our climate, with the exception of California, is less equable. In California alone.it is 

 stated, there are five millions of acres well adapted to grape culture. Here is something to reflect 

 upon, and to give hope fur the future. 



CULTIVATION. 



Vineyards are usually planted on hills, or rolling uplands; such positions are chosen on account of 

 the natural drainage, which is considered essential. Porous soils are preferred to stiff clay, or such as 

 are retentive of water. No trees should be permitted to grow within one hundred feet of the vine 

 yard, nor should any crop be cultivated in it, as the vine is a seHish plant, and demands all the ground 

 for its own use. The ground is prepared for planting by trenching with the spade two feet deep, or by 

 breaking up with a subsoil and common plough 18 or 20 inches ; the latter is much the cheapest, and 

 always adopted where the situation of the vineyard permits. In planting the vines, the distance apart 

 in the rows appears to vary in different localities. Around Cincinnati and in the Ohio valley, 3 by 6 

 is the usual distance; on the shores of Lake Erie, 6 by 8, and- 8 by 8; and in California, 8 by 10 is 

 recommended as the proper distance. The object in this country, where labor is dear, is to cultivate 

 with the plough where it can be used, and to avoid the spade, which is expensive. Vineyard-planting 

 is a system of dwarfing the vine, but with our long-jointed and rampant-growing native vines it may be 

 an error to plant too close, or to prune too severely. Our European vine-dressers, accustomed to short- 

 jointed vines, naturally fall into that error here, but they are now correcting it. 



The method of training also varies with localities. In the Ohio valley and the southern States 

 the single stake to each vine, and the bow system, is adopted. On the lake shore, and in California, 

 the trellis is used, the vines being trained on it horizontally. 



The estimated average annual yield of good vineyards in the west is about that of France 200 

 gallons to the acre. In the south they claim 500, and in California 800 ; these latter I consider too 

 high. A bushel of grapes fifty pounds will make three and a half gallons of good wine, and a half 

 gallon inferior. In a mere sketch like this article, it is only intended to impart general information on 

 the subject of which it treats ; the reader is therefore referred for special directions as to setting 

 out the vines, spring and summer prunings, cultivating the ground, and securing the crop, to the several 

 treatises on grape-culture and wine-making recently published. But I may remark, in brief, that a free 

 exposure to the wind, with the bunches of grapes sheltered from the hot sun by the leaves of the vine, 

 tying neatly to the stake or trellis, a judicious shortening in of superfluous branches, and the keeping 

 the ground cultivated and free from weeds, is considered essential. 



Disease, insects, and frost. The grape, like other fruits, has its enemies. The most destructive 

 of these is the mildew or rot. Was it not for this disease the Catawba would be immensely profitable; 

 but of late years, in the Ohio valley, it has destroyed from one-fifth to four-fifths of the crop in many 

 vineyards, and discouraged some persons from planting that fine grape. A sudden change of weather 

 from hot to cold when the vine is in rapid growth, and the seed in the berries about hardening, is sure 

 to produce rot. A free under-drainage either natural or artificial and a full exposure to the wind, 

 will in part prevent it. No system of pruning or cultivation has yet proved a sufficient remedy in vine 

 yards. Vines trained against the side of a house, and under cover of the eaves, seldom, if ever, rot. 

 The disease probably results from atmosphoric causes, as the rust in wheat. 

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