CULTURE OF THE VINE IN AUSTRALIA. 
305 
The celebrated Dyckman cherry, or Black Tar¬ 
tarian, was first grown in America on this Island, 
about 40 years ago. 
The Newtown pippin flourished on the Island, 
one thousand barrels of which have been obtained in 
a season. In all there are about 20 acres of fruit trees. 
In 1820 the receipts for produce sold off the 
Island amounted to $6,000, independent of the 
supply of the family. The produce sold consisted 
entirely of fruit, vegetables, and hay. The hay 
alone, after retaining enough to winter 26 head of 
cattle, sold for $1,600. In 1839 Mr. R. sold 14,000 
lbs. of cherries. 
The elder brother, who was present (Mr. John 
Randall), resided on the Island over 50 years. He 
states that the family, with the exception of one 
year, 1824, enjoyed uninterrupted good health. 
During that year, they were afflicted with ordinary 
bilious fever, o-f which three members of the family 
died. Intermittent fever had not been known to the 
family during their residence on the Island. 
Adoniram Chandler. 
D’Jay Browne. 
Franklin Knight. 
Henry A. Field. 
New York , Sept . 15, 1846 
Mr. Charles Henry Hall pointed out the import¬ 
ance of bringing up pauper children to habits of 
industry; and of all pursuits, he said that of agri¬ 
culture had the most salutary influence in the for¬ 
mation of their characters, and consequently pre¬ 
pared them for usefulness when they came to be 
men. He said there is no reason why they should 
not be brought up as well as farmers’ sons—to be 
taught to know that they are accountable beings, 
and that it is their duty to do something for them¬ 
selves, and be made to feel that they are not entirely 
dependent upon the bounty of the city for support; 
but live in a land in which they are capable of be¬ 
coming useful citizens, and can enjoy the sweets of 
freedom, independence, and happiness. He said 
that it has long been his belief, that, under judi¬ 
cious management, our alms-house can be made to 
support itself by pauper labor. He cited several 
instances where this has been done in other cities, 
and as a case in point, he referred to that of Salem, 
in Massachusetts. He hoped that this subject 
would not be suffered to pass the Club without 
further notice, and expressed a wish that the gen¬ 
tlemen who had so ably and correctly reported 
upon the agricultural capabilities of Randall's 
Island, be invited to continue their inquiries. 
Similar sentiments were also expressed by Drs. 
Field and Underhill, and by Messrs Hyde, Van 
Wyck, and others, whereupon it was moved by 
Mr. Wakeman, and sanctioned by the Club, that a 
vote of thanks be tendered to the gentlemen of the 
Report, and that they constitute a committee for the 
further investigation of the subject. 
Agricultural Meetings. —The American Agri¬ 
cultural Association will hold a regular meeting on 
Wednesday, the 7th inst.,at 7 o’clock, P.M., at the 
Historical Society’s Rooms, N. Y. University. 
The N. Y. Farmers’ Club will hold their next 
meeting conjointly with the Farmers , Gardeners , 
and Silk Culturists’ Convention, on the 12th inst., at 
11 o’clock, A.M.,at Mechanics’ Hall, Broadway. 
CULTURE OF THE VINE IN AUSTRALIA. 
Through the kindness of A. H. Palmer, Esq,, 
Director of the American and Foreign Agency, at 
New York, who holds an extensive correspondence 
in all the countries of the East, we have received 
the “ Journal of the Agricultural and Horticultural 
Society of Perth, Western Australia,” from which 
we make the following extracts from the “ Report 
of the Vineyard Society,” formed for the purpose of 
establishing in that colony a Model Vineyard:— 
The season of preparation for the vineyard being 
already advanced, it is proposed in the present letter 
to treat only on such operations as should occupy 
the interval between the present time and the first 
week in August (a), when, at the latest, the plant¬ 
ing out of vine cuttings should be completed. 
Those operations will therefore comprise—1st, the 
selection of land for the new vineyard, as regards 
soil, situation, aspect, and shelter; 2d, the prepara¬ 
tion of the land—viz., manuring, trenching, and 
fencing; 3d, the best varieties of the vine from 
which to select cuttings; 4th, the treatment, of old 
vines and vineyards. 
On Soils. —-The soils best adapted for vineyards 
are classed in the order of their relative superiority. 
1st, light calcareous soils ; 2d. light soils on granite; 
3d, light soils on other rocks or gravel; 4th, light 
sandy loam; 5th, sand; 6th, loam, or any soil 
except clay. 
It is to be observed, that almost all wines of the 
highest reputation in Europe are produced in calca¬ 
reous soils, rather deficient in fertility, and gene¬ 
rally on elevated hilly ground. The produce, of 
course, is small. The ordinary wines are the 
growth of richer soils, making up in quantity fox 
deficiencies in quality, and the latter are frequently 
the most profitable. Under similar treatment, 
therefore, the comparative quantity produced in 
different situations will afford a tolerably accurate 
test of the various qualities of the wines. 
The best situation to select for superior wine in 
this country will be a hill side, sheltered from the 
harsh southerly winds, with a calcareous or granite 
soil, and having an easterly aspect, which will 
protect it from the rays of an evening sun. Fox 
ordinary wine, the alluvial flats or other rich lands 
will be preferred, and a medium quality of land will 
be chosen for a somewhat better wine. 
Raisins, Zante currants, and sweet wines, should 
be cultivated on rich lands. 
The first market to be supplied will be at home, 
for internal consumption ; the settler will therefore 
select a situation for his vineyard near his home¬ 
stead, and within reach of protection, combining as 
many advantages as he can. The banks of red and 
brown sandy loam descending into the alluvial 
lands on the Swan, and generally known as native- 
hole lands , have already been proved to answer 
well for this purpose, by a gentleman who has 
taken the lead in the cultivation of the vine, and 
from having been constantly moved by the natives 
in search of roots, would require little preparation. 
An upland stubble, or any light soil of a tolerably 
fertile character, and well drained , will answer for 
this purpose, provided it be sufficiently sheltered. 
Preparation of the Land. —Trenching from two to 
three feet deep, according to the soil, is quite essen- 
