NEW-YORK FARMER AND 



amier,' which came to us from China ; and succeeds 

 perfectly in our ponds, producing very rapidly by natu- 

 ral increase, fattening easily upon maize or bran, and 

 being one of the largest and most delicious fishes that 

 is brought to table here. I trust Capt. Butler may suc- 

 ceed in naturalizing them in America. 



I give him also some seeds and a plant of the new 

 raspberry, brought here from the Kandian Provinces of 

 Ceylon. It grows most luxurious on our coldest hills, 

 and will be found a very valuable addition to our stock 

 of fruits, and I trust to yours also. 



He takes also the seed of our rose-leaved raspberry, 

 from the Molucca islands. It is propagated by the 

 birds in all our forests, is much larger than the Euro- 

 pean. I sent it to England some years ago, where it 

 grows freely. 



I send also a bunch of the seeds of the Raffia Palm, 

 from Madagascar. 



We are pressed for time at present, otherwise I 

 should send you some specimens of our dried plants, 

 particularly ferns, which arc in great variety and beauty. 

 Hut I trust that our intercourse with your country may 

 become more frequent : and I shall be happy to avaii 

 myself of any opportunity of sending you from hence, 

 such plants, seeds, or roots, as may be interesting to 

 vou, or merit to be introduced into America from these 



countries. I have the honor to be, Sir, 



Your most obedient servant, 

 Dr. Hosaek. Charles Telfair. 



— "ne»« — 



ART. 1. — Communication from William Wil- 

 son'. Esq. of Clermont, New-York, on the culture of tin 

 Grape. Addressed to the New-York Horticultural So- 

 ciety, March, 1821. 



Gentlemen, — You noticed a few grapes which I 

 sent last summer to my friend, Mr Peter Hattrick . 

 they were not intended for exhibition, or perhaps better 

 bunches might have been sent. But as they met youi 

 approbation, the mode of raising them may not be un- 

 acceptable. I have cultivated grapes for more thai: 

 twenty years, and for the last ten years with success. 

 The soil in which they grow, is a light gravelly loam, 

 the ground perfectly level, the vines were raised from 

 cuttings and planted in the place they were intended to 

 be continued, and where they now are. 1 have two 

 rows of about twenty-five vines each, one on the nort 

 side of the garden, exposed to the south and protectei 

 by a high board fence, the other row in the middli 

 and most exposed situation, with no shelter whatever. 

 For the first six or seven years, they were cultivated ii 

 the usual way, cut down to three or four feet, and sup- 

 ported by stakes and laihs. Their growth was rapid 

 and required a good deal of trimming. They bore 

 liuit ; but in two years out of three, they were blasted 

 and mildewed, good for nothing : all we got was trouble 



and vexation. I had resolved to abandon them. About 

 this time, I observed in the woods some very fine look- 

 ing wild grapes, the vines running up high trees, and 

 most of the fruit at or near the top. On examining, 

 many were found in the same situation ; from this I 

 took the hint of raising the cultivated grape higher from 

 the ground. At the time of trimming I left the vines 

 their whole length, ten or twelve feet or more ; cut- 

 ting away every side shoot and leaving the vines as 

 clear of shoots, or spurs, or beads, as possible. The 

 spring following,.by every vine was fixed a strong stake 

 at least ten feet high, with most of the limbs untouch- 

 ed, so that they had the appearance of large bushes, 

 orwell grown saplings. The vines were twisted around 

 them to the top, and when necessary, tied with bass. 

 3y the middle of June, the stakes were entirely cover- 

 ed by the new shoots of the vine, and with plenty of 

 fruit, which was fully ripe in September, and not one 

 bunch blasted or mildewed : there was not one cluster 

 within three or four feet of the ground. Since that 

 time I have continued the same practice, and have now 

 vines 20 or 30 feet long ; some of which run up the 

 fruit trees adjoining, the others being carried up 8 or 

 10 feet, and then stretched horizontal, y. It is no un- 

 pleasant thing to see a cherry tree on one hand, a pear 

 tree on the other, and a peach tree not far off, all orna- 

 mented with clusters of grapes. Yet such is the case, 

 and has been for years past. Several strangers, both 

 citizens and Europeans, curious in such things, have 

 called to examine for themselves, and have generally 

 allowed it to be the most successful cultivation they 

 had seen. 



To the members of the horticultural society, who, it 

 is probable arc mostly practical men, I cannot write in 

 their technical language; it is therefore hoped they will 

 excuse the inaccuracies that occur. In as few words 

 is possible, the whole management of the year is as 

 bllows, and it matters not at what period we begin. 

 The fruit begins to ripen early in September and contin- 

 ues till the frosts in October. As soon as the grapes 

 ire all gathered, that is about the 15th of October, the 

 takes are taken up and thrown aside for fire wood. 

 The vine is then stretched out its whole length and 

 rimmed as clean as possible, in which state it is left 

 lying on the ground for two or three weeks : about 

 he last of November, they arc laid on the surface at full 

 ength, and fastened down with pins, andcovcrcd lightly 

 vith earth; which is done by digging a shallow ditch on 

 •ach side, and throwing up the ground to the middle, 

 vhieh forms a ridge over the vines, and covers them 

 bout ten or twelve inches ; no straw, manure, or any 

 )ther covering but the earth ; in this state they lie all 

 winter. In April, as soon as the weather will permit, 

 hoy are uncovered and left on the ground for ten or 

 fwelve days or more : the stakes arc now, about the 

 first of May, fixed Ui their places, and the vines repla- 



