Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-06-23
(From the Boston Cultivator.)
CULTIVATION OF THE GRAPE.

There is nodepartment of agriculture which
mas oeen SO systematically neglected by far
delicious rts cslyat9n Of fine and
whether we regard profit, or the pleasure and
satisfaction to be derived from an abundant
supply for our own families. How delight
iul and wholesome at all seasons of the year
las we may if we willy in the bosom of our
families, surrounded, perhaps, by our friends
and neighbors, to refresh ourselves with the
various gifts of Pomona
There is hardly any fruit which can be
more easily cultivated, or may be made long
er 10 administer to our pleasure or profit than,
the grape, Of this, there is almost an end
less variety, both foreign and native none
of the former, and but few of the latter, should
be cultivated by farmers generally. The Is
abella, Catawba, and Clinton, may be classed
among the best native varieties-though in
all parts of the country, there are some wild
nameless varieties, rich and delicious, for the
neglect Of the propagation of which, our far
mers are without excuse, for the grape is
wholesome, and may justly be called one Of
the greatest delicacies, which an all-wise and
bountlful creator has bestowed upon man,
This fruit is easily cultivated, and may be
increased to any extent with no expense but
me iabor,--from cuttings which may be OBJ
tanned in thousands, from any person pruning
his vines, or some exquisite variety may
be obtained from the hedge or the swamp,
and propagated to any extent. With YOU give
this subject your attention
The best grapes are superior to either the
peach, the apple, or the pear--comes after
ihe former has pretty much gone, and NAV
oe Kept through the winter, as well as the
apple or pear. For winter use they should
De packed In layers in small boxes, with a
stratum OF common cotton batting between
the layers Thus they may be kept till
March, better in flavor than when they were
first gathered from the vines. They should
be kept cool, dry, and away from the frost
The best mode of cultivation in the gar
den, is on single trells running North and
Soutll-the posts of which should either be
cedar or have cedar bottoms, and then be
splIced about ten feet high, and have strips of
board about two inches wide nailed on TO
them about three feet apart The usual way
OF cultlvatlng them, on an arbor, with all arch,
is bad, Tor the reason that those clusters which
do not get the sun, Will seldom ripen well,
and iithey do, they will be without flavor.
they should Immediately after the fall OF
the leaves, be thoroughly pruned and have ev-
cry runner OF new wood cut into fine buds
/ or eyes oil the old wood. They should be
kept open and free. New shoots should be
encouraged near the ground in order to have
the bearing wood low, and to protect the
frames from the winds.
They may be cultivated at the foot of old
and worthless fruit trees, or on shade trees,
and alter three or four years Of protection
from the cattle, they will give you no farther
trouble mus the care and expense of trel-
Using and pruning will be wholly spared.
One single Isabella vine cultivated in this
way has been known to produce for the four
years last past, from ten TO fifteen bushels per
year. such vine as This, in the vicinity of
any OF our cities, or large manufacturing vii
lagos, would yield more profit than two acres
of Indian corn.
NOW farmers do you want to have few
bushels OF fine grapes for winter, to cheer the
social circle, and gladden. the heart of your
friends and guests during our long winter