The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1860-02-20
The Culture Of the Vine--Dlscussio in
the Cincinnati horticultural Society.

The Culture of the Vine--Dlscussion in
the Cincinnati horticultural Society.
Humboldt has said that the best vines are
produced from vineyards situated 10 the in
terror away from the seaboard, and attributes
the difference to the light from clearer state
of the heavens. However that may be, cul-
tivators hereabout have made up their minds
that as good wine can be made in Ohio as in
sunny France or Italy, or along the German
banks of the Rhine. To raise the best bearing
vineyards and to make the best wines we must
resort to the very best means.
The discussion before the Cincinnati Horti-
cultural Society, on Saturday, was upon the
best modo Of preparing the ground and put
ting in q vineyard or nursery. We note some
of tho salient points. Mr.. Charles Reemelin,
theoretically and practically, an expert, q
travelled observer, and author of the Vine
Dressers' Manual, remarked that all discussion
must be founded on an agreement that the
soil shall be trenched and properly fitted for
the cultivation of the vine. This agreed, he
contended, for use of slips instead of roots,
and that these should be planted vertically.
Nature dictates that course, for the wood con-
tains air-vesssls, up which solar heat is radi-
ated-this is the method by which the func-
tons of nature are performed. Science is but
the principle which all experienced observers
find to be true-if the slips are put in oblique,
~ oh 10 oTa
plan.
Again: Mr.. Reemeliu gave this as his plan
OF setting out his vineyard after the earth had
heen duly prepared in the previous Septem-
ber. He took cuttings Of the new wood.
Three men proceed as assistants. One has q
punch to make vertical hole--or at least
one with but slight inclination of the drain
of the trench. The slip is inserted, and
dribble Of fine sand is incorporated around it.
A third waters the sand, which settles around
the slip, the top eye being short distance
below tho ground, on which some sand ia
poured. 0ne-fourth Of an acre, deeply
trenched, the earth turned up and inverted,
and all the attentions of planting and trim
ming closely watched, the vines properly
trimmed, and the grapes knocked off until
the stock is four years old, until good root is
attained; will be worth, permanently, five
acres specifically cultured. Grape-growipg
can not be profitable without this devoted
labor is given to it.
Mr.. Howarth and DR.. Mosher contended
that the ground should bs properly prepared,
but favored q slight inclination instead of
vertical position. Mr.. Howarth suggested
that thus inclined, buds were less lkoly to
hold excessive moisture from rains. All agreed
that cuttings should not be exposed to tho air
for one hour; that none but healthy slips
should be used, and these should be buried in
the earth until the ground is warm and the
buds swelling, as late, even, ss tho goth of
May.
Dr.. Warder contended that slips sh ouId be
placed obliquely, that the heat may reach as
many buds as possible. If too long, and
placed vertically, they. are liable to be injured
by moisture or want of heat. The Doctor made
an interesting explanation from diagram.
Freeman G. Carey differed with Mr.. Reeme-
lin as to the importance of planting slips YER
tically. Everything else being equal, nature
would right itself.
Mr.. Rentz, successful with his vines, spoke
Of the importance of proper preparation of
the soil, aud the cutting off the surface roots
six inches below the surface.
Next Saturday the discussion will be on the
pear question.