March.] THE VINEYARD. 235 
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 culiivated, and vi^hat 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 Ameri- 
ca, 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 
or vegetables arrive at as good or as great perfection 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 in- 
dividual advantage. 
The Vine was originally introduced into Europe from Jsia minor; 
and even in the days of LucuUus^ 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 Ada, were so dear, that they were rarely intro- 
duced 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 partieular attention. In the progress of their conquests, 
the westerly parts of the European continent, was at once subjected 
to the Arms 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, 
occasioned 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 culti- 
vators, 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 success, 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 Bur- 
gundy, Champagne, Switzerland, Bourdeaux, 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 everv country, from 
whence they can be procured; by which means, and by which only, 
they can discover those best adapted to their respective soils andj 
climates. 
