The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-31
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 vne-culture.
| We n.,tce letter from Mr. LoNGwoRTH, of Gin
cnnati, to the editor of the Horticultural Magazine,
published in New York in which some useful obser-
vations occur on this subject Mr. L.. has been long
known distinguished amateur in things of this
Sort and the vine particularly has received from him
large share of judicous attention He has given up
mostly if not altogether the attempt cultivate the
European species, and has found his labor best
warded by procuring and improving the best varieties
of the native vine. The result of his experience in
this particular is worthy note The varieties Of the
Indigenous vine in this country are numerous, and
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 The 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 LoNawoRrHs letter:
81 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, Schuylk Mu cadet, and the Isabella. For
the table, they equal to the Me0nier, MilIers
Burgundy, and free of pulp. One of them, which
| first met with few years SINCE Il call the Ohio
grape The vine is perfectly hardy fine bearer, has
never had the mildew or rot and the lunches very
large say four times the size of the Burgundy sent
bunch of these grapes to Boston last fall but it
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 of the bunch shall
pass it, The other two equally good for the table,
perfectly hardy, great growers but the lunches of
fruit not SO large.
81 surprised, when East, to ind no good native
grapes. At my different vineyards have about six
ty acres in grapes, but 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 hundred barrels of wine and some
brandy. am now raising large quantities of vines
from the seed Of my best varieties Of native grape
having cleared piece Of new land expressly for tina,
purpose.
There is perhaps, no fruit much affected by cir
cumsancSs of soil, position and culture the grape
By taking the native vine the probabilities of success
will be greatly increased, since ts quality may be BET
ter known and the necessary situation al ii respsc,
soil and exposure, more surely ascertainsd.