Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-09-03
THE GRAPE VINE.


 Introduction ct the Vine into Aiabama-the Madeira-
 Description qf this Vine-Wine of 1824-Seiection
 of Plants.
 The introduction of the Grape Vine into Alabama, by the French emgrants, thirteen years since, was the beginning of series of experiments to make wine many of which proved fruitless. They found their arrival several kinds of grapes growing spon- taneousy through the country, and aew foreign vines had been introduced into the gardens of the settlers But these were generally of so indifferent quality, that few no attempts were made to obtain wine from them. Gen. Lefebvre Desnouettes Col. La jony, and myself were the first who planted vne- yards. Our vines were imported direct from France, a country which has soil and climate differing ma terially from that of Alabama.
 An acute observer should have had some anticipa- tions of few failures in the first attempts to trans plant the vines of Europe into latitude so foreign to their nature. But we were sanguine of eventual success. For the first two three years vine yards did not fall short of our expectations after which they declined to almost nothing; and from that period forward, have observed that French vines in this climate almost worthless. They afford but scanty supply of grapes fit only for the table, and cannot be converted into good wine.
 Doctor Viol an intimate friend of Gen. Lefebvres, upon his return from Galveston to Marengo county, passed through New-Urleans. Whilst there, he hap pened to be in company with respectable merchant of that place, who spoke to him of Gen. Lefebvre, and inquired of him the state and condition of the French grant. The merchant observed, that ves- sel consigned to himself had just arrived from Ma dera and that her captain had brought him small bundle ofthe reaL Madera rines, which his corespon- dent there had the goodness to send him; adding, that he thought it would do well in this country. He pressed the doctor to take -four c these Uines and to present them to Gen. Lefebvre. With considerable care, they were accordingly brought to Demopolis, and delivered in the spring of 1921 at which time sided with the General. He placed them in my care, and observed, :" giue you ha5." At the end of the year went back to my Demopolis place, and took up my vines The following spring or summer through inattentOn, both the Generals and one oi mine ded! With the remaining one, which was very luxuriant cut off several slips, and causing them to take root, was enabled to add to my stock that summer and subsequently continued improving from this vine.
 In the fall of 1894 made demi-john of ALABA- MA WINE, from the Madeira grape. Col. MKee, on visit to my residence in the sping of that year saw my prospects and signi6ed desire to taste o the wine, should l make any. accordingly pro- missed to send him specimen of its quality to Wash ington City. put up three bottles of my Alabama Madeira, and three of my Alabama French, which were forwarded, and reached him in 1895. Pres dent Adams, some members of his cabinet and the Colonel drank the Madeira, and expressed theil opinion that it was good ,cine for its age. But the wine made from the French grape had become sour My tract of land near Demopolis being small, and believing it impossible to accomplish my plans for vineyard, nurseries, &c, determined me to remove to Greene county, and to take there all my vines and such frut-tress as would bear transplanting