The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-30
From the Baltimore american
CULTURE OF THE VINE.

Is little surprising that the culture of the vine
has been slightly attended to in this country As
table fruit the grape is worthy of all estimation and
for this purpose alone would deserve to be cultivated
For making wine there appears to be no reason why
the soil and climate of many portions of the Union
should not be adapted 10 the vine culture
We n, tice letter from Mr.. LoNGwoRrH of Gin
cinnoti, to the editor of the Horticultural Magazine
published in New York in which some useful obser-
vatlons occur on this subject Mr. l.. has been long
known as distinguished amateur in things Of this
sort; and the vine particularly has received from him
large share of judcious attention He has given NJ
mostly, il not altogether, the attempt to cultivate the
European species, and has found his labor best re.
warded by procuring and improving the bes, varieties
Of the native vine. The result of his experience in
this particular is worthy of note The varieties Of the
indigenous vine in this country are numerous and
one of the best modes of asceraining the fitness OF
soil and situation for the successful growth of this de-
cate fruit, would no doubt be by observing the size
and flavor of the wild grape is found in its native
state. On ,he Eastern Shore particularly in the lower
part OF the peninsula, the native grape will be found
If our recoectons do not misead U.s. excellent in all
qualities that are requisite for making good wine A
light soil is especially adapted to the vine. We take
the following from LoNewoRTHs letter
have three varieties of native grapes, which |
consider far superior to the Caawba for the table
They have none of the hard pulp common to the Ca
tawba, Schuykill, Mu cadet, and the Isabella. For
the table, they are equal TO the Meuner, Millers
first met with few years since | call the Ohio
grape The vine is perfectly hardy, fine bearer has
never had the mIldew or rot, and the punches very
large say four times the size of the Burgundy sent
bunch Of these grapes TO Boston last fall but it was
too long on the road to be in perfection | will give
five hundred dollars for root Of native grape that
in quality OF the fruit and ofhe bunch shall sur.
passlt The other two are equally good for the table
perfectly hardy, great growers, but the punches Of
fruit are not so large. &
II was surprised, when East, to find no good native
grapes Az my different vineyards | have about SIX
~ acres IN grapes, but not all in bearing Last sea.
son had not half crop, with the exception of one
Vineyard, where The fruit was abundant and fine
made about two hund red barrels of wine and some
brandy. am now raising large quantities of vines
lffomthe seed of my best varieties OF native grape
having cleared piece Of land expressly for that
purpose. ~ y-1
There lsfperhaps lruit So much affected by CIR
cumstances OF soil position and culture, the grape
By tskhrthe vine the probabilities Of success
will be greatly increased since It's quality may he bet
ter known and the necessary situation AS it respects
soil and exposure, more surely ascertsned