The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-05-27
GRAPES AND NATIVE WINE.

am pleased to sec signs throughout
large portion of the South, of ii growing
interest ia the culture of the grape. The
opinion expressed years ago, by discerning
L"r.icuturi-ts, that the climate and soil of
the Southern country would be propitious
t. tie vine. i now being verified by actual
experiment. la our own State, (SOuth
Car"I;ua) several gentlemen have entered
with commondable spirit upon this new
branch Of industry, and more than one
district has given proof of capability to
contribute richly towards placing the enter
prise upon n sure footing. Seeing that this
department of horticulture bids fair to as
sumo, at no distant day, prominent place
among the industrial elements of the South,
every indication of awakening attention to
. it, establishment and advancement is fit
matter for congTatulation. DR.. Mcdonald
and Mr.. DcCaradeuc, near Aiken, were,
perhaps, among the first in this State to
experiment with vines upon an extensive
scale. After ten or twelve years of close
attention to this culture, and after con-
siderable outlay of means, they have now
under cultivation about eighty acres, com
Prising large variety of grapes, of which
North or from Ear"pe. The principal wine
grapes, however, cultivated by them, are
the Isabella, Catawba, Warren, and Bur
gundy. l had the pleasure of visiting their
vineyards week before last. The vines in
their full spring bloom presented scene of
rural beauty such as the eye is unaccus-
toned To, even in our Southern region of
rich foliage. The vineyards are, in part,
laid out upon level platforms reaching back
from the brow of hills, but they are seen
most effectively in those portions which,
rising from the undulating slopes of valleys,
sweep gracefully up the sides of the hills,
and cover them, apparently, when looked at
from little distance, with an impenetrable
layer of the most luxurant verdure. Closer
inspection did not diminish the charm of
the scene. Blended with the fresh leaves
were countless numbers of punches in
embryo, pleasing to look at in their delicate
blOssoming, and evidencing, by their full
promise, the capacity of the soil for this
most fascinating branch of horticulture.
The vines are trained to perpendicular |
stakes not exceeding five feet in height, |
and, in some instances, counted as many |
n sixty and more lunches to a single stock |
The yield will be great; for the experience
OF passed years has shown that, unless at
tackled by rot in consequence of protracted |
uains at the ripening stage, the present
appearance of the vineyards may be taken
as an earnest of what the result will be, as
To- quantity, at the time of vintage. Re- !
Peated experiments have shown that wines |
of a most delicate and paIatable flavor can
b. made OF the juice of these grapes. These |
wines, though not yet fairly introduced into |
market, have met with the commentator |
OF connoiSScurs; and | was pleased to see |
that the proprictors are making ample pre-
partitions to dispose of the rich abundance
which the vintage will probably yield. 1t |
is to be hoped that the success which has
attended the enterprise of these gentlemen |
will be emulated i'll other sections of the !
State; and thus result in elevating the vine
INTO what climate and soil conspire to render |
lt-a new source of wealth and wholesome
stimulus to intelligent labor Correspon-
de"c6 Of the Charleston Mercury.