Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-10-01
FOR THE INTELLlGEEcER. THE GRAPE VINE.
Mn III

century since 1t was imported into some of the tries of France, where has thrived and now forms the greater part of the immense vineyards of Dau- phne. Languedoc, and little north of these Its growth is rapid, but late in the spring. The leaves are not as large as those of the Madeira; but of more vivid green. The fruit is naturally but little shaded-is large, black, and extremely juicy. A few kinds of white grapes planted with this, produce light colored and agreeable Claret Wine.
 received this vine with general assortment of vines, fruit ornamental trees, &c. in March of 1880, from my brother, in Dauphne, in remarkably good condition Several invoices ofthe kind reach- cd me previously; hut always in such decayed state as to render them useless for planting. The first growth of the Persian here pleased very much; this year it has borne, and its growth has im- proved. Judging by its nature, and that of the country from which we originally obtained it, am inclined to think it will be valuable vine to this country.
 In 1925 sowed some of the seed of my Madeira Grapes of 1894, which grew immediately, and es- tabished the truth that the seed of fruit rarely produces its kind exactly. Six eight distinct kinds of vines appear to have been generated at once by this seed. The third year few of them bore fruit, but it impossible to judge of theIr qualities at that time It was only last year that positive opin- ion could properly be formed relative to them. Of all these species of vines but one Is truly invaluable, and can be considered an acquisition to our country I have named it the Alabama. Its growth is mode rate and puts forth late in the spring. Its leaves not large those of the Madeira. Ii bears plen ti(uly; and the fruit which is white Is very large, long, and uncommonly clustered. still greater quality which this vine possesses ls that during three years observation have never known it to be injured by the hyth, notwithstanding the great diff
 ference in the seasons. The fruit of the only one that bore last year, produced three bottles of wine much resembling true champagne.
 Having spoken of. and described all the vines that appear to thrive in Alabama, and from which we now have reason to believe will repay abundant and delicious crops, but little remains to be said of those vines considered as table grapes The Chase las deserves some ottention. For three successive years have had an opportunity of witnessing its success and in that period it always bore well, and its fruit was large and excellent Five other kinds received lately cannot yet be considered success full here, though promising in their appearance.- They are the White Chaselas of ofFontainebleau; the Rose Chaselas; the White Muscat, or Muscadel; the Red Ditto the White Magdalena; and the little early Black Morlllon Considering the nature of the ChaseiaS and Muscadet, have every reason to expect that they will realize my most sangune wish for their success in this country. The real Rais,n de Franse, for drying and making Rasins, 1 have yet been unable to procure but shall receive il soon from France.
 The Grape Vine is certainly one of thc most pro-
 life and profitable productions in the vegetable king dom; and with the help of human ingenuity, its in crease is astonishing. Iispropagated by its wi igs or cuttings, which is a simple process. The difference between twg and cutting should be clearly under stood. A twig, in French, narcotic, is layer or
 limb of the vine, permitted to grow beneath under the trimming of a preceding year, which is done only when vines have an inclination to be too hardy or
 uxuriant. MarcOtter is thus interpreted by Boyer, "to set layers or young twigs in the gound for in- crease" It Is in young vineyards only, that the vine can be increased in this way. Some time in July August, when these twigs have acquired the necessary maturity, and have become yeowish, two,
 three four according to the vgor of the vne) of
 them can be taken down, stripped of their leaves up to about one or two feet of the top, making with hoe little ditch three four inches deep along the arbour row, and laid in, covering them with the ghtest ground around. These will immediately take root and make fine vines for planting in the winter or spring following.
 This mode of ofpropagatng the vine was used with respect to my Madeira for several years past with out any visible injury. Ii naturally led me to dis covery which estimate highly important In the winter, when taking up these vines. they must first be cut close to the mother-vine, then dug or pulled up carefully. Each layer makes two vines as it has two ends, and must be cut in the mddle.- The butt end or that which was cut immediately from
 the mOther-vine, is upside do,on Uine, since its natural top is with roots and when planted, it is
 its natural butt end that must be out of ground This cOntrarety contrast m nature, improves the Madeira Vine in its nature and production aston- ishngly. In my vineyard some of these vines, now three or four years old, displayed to and some of my amateur visitors. some wonderful appearances in their production. The growth of this vine is mode- rate, which must be ascribed to the ring formed by the eye putting forth from the butt making little elbow, and which must certainly check a little the rich sap of the Madeira. It has considerably more and much larger fruit, than the Madeira Vine plant ed according to the laws of nature Ever since have observed the advantage of this innovation, eve " Madeira I have planted, and shall hereafter plant, is, and will be upside do,on The propaga- lion by cuttings Is the most common; and though slower can be considered as the best, as it can be done every year, and in all cases of slow or luxu riant growth. These cuttings must be strong, the wood well ripened. and have sound eyes. Each must be cut at the length of five of these eyes buds The hooks, or in French, crossehe, with the same number of eyes, much preferable to the | simple cutting their growth IS surer, and makes stronger vnes These hooks scions. to which is | left an inch of their mother-stem, or limb- The little rings about the hook put forth much quicker than the smooth even tops of the scions, which are seldom matured before the frosts Februa- " March is the proper season to plant them, in moist land, partially shaded by neghboring | woods. It is customary to put them in stream of pure water, and leave them to soak several days be- fore planting. Then let furrow of eight or ten inches be opened with the plough lay the cuttings OH one Of the sides two to three inches apart filling up the furrow, and leaving but one eye or bud out of the ground. Alter the second growth these are ready to set out in vineyards. In the event fsome vines dying in a vineyard stem or sprig of any vine near can be laid down. either in winter or sum- mer and brought, if possible, 10 the place of the de- cayed one A vine thus laid down bears immediate ly, and time place is lost. The technical term of this operation in French, is prorigner
 It is but little, not at all advisable to resort to the graft to multiply the vine The graft is advanta geous only when vine of inferior quality happens l.. I1.. ! little value growing Tn fields where they can be nralfed A flaw vines similar tn the latter ,uera