Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-11-03
on rnE cuLTuRE OF rHE vlNr
he RIcuMoNp Wurc

GenUe'acn Believing that any suggestion from
friend, calculated TO increase the interes, and 80,
ness OF your already deseryedy popular paper, will
meet your appreciation, ! take the liberty OF vall;nr
your attention, audflat ofour agriculturiss 10 tic ,
poItance OF the culture CT the Vine.
The soil and climate of Virginia are as G,yo.abla m
any on earth for successful culture II Womb b
come of Individual and nationahw ealtl s,,nn
ing the fountain of prosperity, so low, which our
wheat and tobacco crops formerly yielded and more
than any thing else that can be devised go TO nut ;.
stop to the extravagant use ofardent spirits.
| 1t Is,but too well known, that wheat aud tobacco
our old staples, will hardly enable the planters with
the utmost skill, industry and economy realize Or
cent interest his capital Invested while the moro
ina'tentye find 1t impossible TO meet their necessary ex
penses. as substitute for these crops, many en-
terprizng planters introducing Cotton which is
found well adapted 10 our soil aud cmae-but alas
they are TOO late IN making the experiment. Cotton
has also become drug. In The more Southern States
where cotton has for many years been the chief staple
and paid well. they complaining as much on
account of IFS low price dohere of the low nrce
ofwheat and tobacco.
Cotton wheat and tobacco will ever be in demand
TO certain extent The extent of the demand and
The Pricc, must be regulated by the quantity Guilty.
would not desire to any Planter abandoning alto
geher any ofhese crops, whose plantation is suitable
for them but would impress on the Planters of East
eh Virginia. IN particular, the Importance of introdu-
eng the culture Of the Grape or an extensive scale as
one of their staple crops. 1t is easily reared and will
pay better than any other crop raised or that can
be introduced on large scale-The time required 10
get crop ct Grapes IS not long required 10 get
crop OF apples peaches; the trouble and skill, of
raising the vine and making the wine is not more tan
that OF raising apples and making cider-and if II he
dcsired to make brandy similar to the Cognac the pro
cess is similar 10 That of making appe b,ondv aud mo,
more expensive or troublesome.
On the Ohio, and in Pcnnsy lvania, the vine is now
extensively cultivated; and the greatest Measure de-
rived from perusng the of the last Fourth of
July Dinners, was from seeing stated that American
Wine of good quality, alone used a: one in Penn
syvana-lhere are many small Vineyards in the vi
cniiy of Richmond, which produce uxurian crops OF
excellent grapes.-Why not cultivue them ON = Iarrer
scale How long will be before we can have rood
Virginia Wine TO grace the festive board on our Ma
tional Jubilee? How long indeed before the yeoman
rs, and inhabitants of towns, can obtain native
wines, in place OF the qnid fire. the dcstrornc- drnr
now so extensively used' %
These questions particularly addressed TO the
wealthy, patriotic, and public spirited planters of Vir-
ginia. For ii is they that must set the example win
they wait I'LL other States have taken the lead in this
as IN too many other good works? Shall the Ancient
Dominion that was wont to take the lead i'm every
thing great and good submit forever follow where
Others lead Forbid il spirits of the mighty dead win
hailowed your native State with an eternal wreath
glory, and placed her in the foremost rank. Infust
your spirit INTO your sons and urge them press for
ward in every work calculated raise their native STATE
To The rank II held when you bequaathed lis desttuies
TO them.
Toyon, Messrs Editors, recommend Tie proprictv.
nay, the Importance, OF devoting occasionally por-
tlon OF the Wing 10 the awakening the attention of
your readers 10 The importance of tins subject and
giving such information you he enabled 10 pro-
cure on the culture oi the Vine. To those who nos
sess practical information the subject csueciaIIv
those who have already made successful experiments
IN tins country, recommend Tie propriety of their
furnishing You for publications such limits as may be
usefn 10 the kind Of grape best adapted for our soil
and climate, the best mcdc CT culture, dressing &c
and the most approved modes of making and brinrna
to perfection the wines and brares. We only want
hight on the subject GIVE usvfu truths, dressed in
ever so honeiy garb, and they viii be acceptable
The following note obtained from a practical Guilt
vator of the grape, may be useful send 1t TO Won
Aiessrs Editors, in the hope that may induce Other
TO contribute to the object IN view.
"A VIRGINIA FARMER.
''The culture of the vine is considered in France
Spain and Italy Of more importance than any Other
crop they can raise The revenue derived by these
countries from other parts of Europe and Amer lea
amounts annually TO an enormous sum- Whom the
people Of Virginia have the means in their power tc
raise their own grapes why should they be defendant
on foreign country for wine? The reason Tie crane
has not generally been cultivated to perfection in this
country has been on account Of The Cgence of the
summer dressing. If the vines are neglected in ile
summer months, and not properly dressed Sc that the
sun can have Tree access TO the young branch hes the
frost in the ensuing winter must inevitably DESTROY
them. The grape Vine 10 last number of years re-
CURES 10 have border prepared for il six feet wide
aud three deep Of real virgin soil of clay oam but
the vines are planted the natural SOIL well trench,
ed hey VIII last twelve years If they are planted or
sand they will not continue than seven years in
a thriving state. In both situations thcy will produce
a full crop OF grapes the third year after planting
provided ey are properly attended with respect to the
summer dressing. All persons who cultivate the vino
ought to be very particular in selecting their kinds
After The shoots are once 10 possession, they are a
easily propagated as the willow. 1t is therefore lin ht
power OF every person 10 keep continual succession
Of young plants"
The paragraph given below is taken from The fourna
des Debas, French paper. The liberaIy of the sen
tInent IS the more to be admired as coming from
country whose government has thought fit TO restrain
the PRONUNCIATION oflberal principles; where censor
ship the liberty of the press is made to exist and
tie people taught to believe the United States wilder
ness, and its citizens better than savages The re-
marks were made in speaking of the death of Adam.
and Jefferson, the 4th of July.
Fifty years had elapsed tue 9TH of July last since
the day when the most distinguished citizens of the
United Stales assembled IN sight of powerful enemy
drew up and signed the Declaration Of Independence
the fundamental act of the great republic of the new
world. Fifty years have seen this plant, at first SO