234 THE VINEYARD. [March. 
the civilized parts of Africa: yet there are people among us who 
seem to despair of its being possible to cultivate it successfully in the 
United States, and who by this kind of despondency publicly ex- 
pressed, discountenance its cultivation. We have similar climates 
and as suitable soil and situations as are to be found in any of the 
countries where this plant is cultivated, and what to attribute this 
infidelity to I am at a loss to know. What do they perceive insalu- 
brious in the air, or unfriendly to vegetable life in the soil of Ame- 
rica, any more than in trans-atlantic countries; or are they led 
astray by prejudiced European writers, whose envy, or want of 
knowledge, or perhaps both, had prompted them to assert, that 
neither animals nor vegetables arrive at as good or as great perfec- 
tion in America as in Europe? However, a little time and some 
industry will show that this prejudice is erroneous, and that the 
Vine can be cultivated in the far greater part of the Union, to 
immense national, as well as individual advantage. 
The vine was originally introduced into Europe from t^sia Minor; 
and even in the days of Lucullus, the Romans were seldom able to 
regale themselves with its juice, very little wine being made at that 
time within the compass of Italy; and the foreign wines which they 
imported from Jlsia were so dear, that they were rarely introduced 
at an entertainment, and when they were, each guest was indulged 
only with a single draught. But in the seventh century of Rome, 
as their conquests augmented the degree of their wealth, this 
luxury was sought after with avidity, and wines became the object 
of particular attention. In the progress of their conquests, the 
westerly parts of the European continent was at once subjected to 
the «rms and enriched with the vines of Italy; its cultivation went 
on but slowly for some time in these countries, where it has since 
become a staple article of great national importance, perhaps occa- 
sioned by the same kind of doubts, fears, prejudices, and appre- 
hensions that now operate against it in the United States; but these 
at length were surmounted by the industry of a few cultivators who 
had penetration enough to perceive its practicability, and who, no 
doubt, were amply remunerated, in consequence of being first in 
market with large quantities: others perceiving their fortunate suc- 
cess, copied their examples, in expectation of obtaining like profits. 
Similar to this will be its progress in America, and those who first 
commence the business by planting on an extensive scale, will 
assuredly reap the richest harvests. 
The culture of the vine will for some time be an experimental 
business with us; however, the first object is to obtain the kinds 
that will immediately, or soonest accommodate themselves to the 
different regions of the Union; perhaps those from Madeira, or the 
Cape of Good Hope, would best suit in the southern states, those 
from the south of Europe, in the middle, and those from Burgundy, 
Champagne, Switzerland, Bordeaux, or the banks of the Rhine, in 
the eastern states. Trials of this kind should be made, and the 
result carefully attended to; and, indeed, each and every of the 
states, should give a fair trial to the vines of every country, from 
whence they can be procured; by which means, and by which only. 
