Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-09-04
From. The Ne,u York Daily Advertiser.


VINES IN AMERIcA.--Those who are turning
their attention to the cultivation of the vine in DIFF
ferent parts Of the United States will be gra6ed to
learn that intelligent hen, from the very earliest set
Element of this country, have expressed opinions the
most favorable and encouraging. 1t is wonderful,
however, that so few instances should be found on
record of experiments actually made to test the pos
sbiiity Of making wine.
Native wires, Of various descriptions, flourish in
the most luxurlant manner in different parts OF the
country even in our northern states and some Of
them have been improved by culture to yield a
rich and valuable fruit. Foreign vines have been
imported in numerous instances, but heretofore in
detached parcels and thousands of them ut this
moment cherished by their owners A few general
facts relating to this subject if they could be collect
ed, we believe would surprise tho public who are
little aware Of the extent to which vines are cutivat
ed among us. The cause of our ignorance we are
inclined to attribute to the fact, that grapes de
manded only for the table. Thus no encourage
ment is offered to the cultivation of wine grapes,
many Of which are o! an unpleasant flavor. If a
man can obtain few grapes, he is perfectly con-
tent with his vines the culture of which. nine times
out of ten, he knows nothing about, and even the
name Of which he cannot tell We speak here in
general terms. The vines in country allow.
ed to grow without trimming, and not step has
been made, since the settlement of the country, to
wards an acquaintance with the proper culture oil
the plant. The best vine is scarcely known out OF
its own village OF. hamlet, and then no one ina
gines that because one is uxurant and prolific. per-
haps beyond any other species of plant, ten. twenty
or hundred might prove equally so. IT would be
hardly possible to show more rcma kable case. OF
the unfortunate influence Of custom and prejudice
on branch OF agriculture. So powerful is it, that
several recent instances of fatteriug success, in
vineyards planted in the southern and middle por-
tons of the country, have produced little Or no cf
feet in other districts equally favorable.
The time. however, is probably approaching,
when the subject will excite more attention, and oul
cuItivators Of the soil will be ashamed of their ne
glect and ignorance of the vine. Our agricultural
societies have much to reproach themselves with. in
being too Indifferent with regard to the vine and
all who have opportunity to promote its cultivation
are bound to exert themselves, the introduction OF
an abundant supply Of good wine among US. would
prove one OF the greatest moral benefits that pa.
triot COZ Id confer.
The following remarks we extract from the Mo
bile Compiler.
would with the most sincere wishes for the vel
fare and prosperity Of my fellow citizeus, suggest
First pointed attention to the grapes of our Woods
They improve rapidly by cultivation, let us cult.
waite them. They have made excellent wne-let us
then try every species and give every kind are cn,
find fair chance and trial, for it is certain from the
difference in Leaf, zine and taste, we now find. on
examination that there must be an essential differ
in the proporton Of those qualities cotituii,,e
sc xinc grape land must assured'y it will be found