The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-03-20
TO THE VINE GROWERS OF THE
UNITED STATES.
From the Southern Cultivator, Augusta, Ga

That committee of FIVE be appointed to open
correspondence with the various Vine CROWN.
Associations in the United States and to ascertain
the practicability of holding Vine Growing Con
ventlon in Aiken some time next summer; and j
found practicable and expedient, that the com
mittee take such measures to secure this object a
they may think proper, and that they report th
result of their proceedings to this Society at it
meeting in May next.
The following gentlemen were appointed th'
committee Messrs. A. DeCaradeuc Chairman
Mcdonald Ravcnel, Redmond, and Wood.
1t is, perhaps, proper to state the object of th'
Association in proposing such Convention, anc
to point out few of the advantages to be derived
from it. In the first place, it is necessary to come
to some understanding about the names Of the
Grapes now under cultivation, as it is evident thai
great confusion exists in that respect. Most Of
the vines being known in different places by differ
ent names: the Black July, for instance having
five synonyms. Thus it often happens that Vine
Grower reads or hears great praises of Grape
whose name is unknown to him, and a description
of which tallies with that he has; he procures
it at great expense cultivaes it with for two
or three years. and ultimately discovers it is iden-
tica with some other he has had long time. This
is discouraging, and has deferred many from pro-
curing new and valuable varieties, which it would
have been advantageous to have cultivated more
obviated by Convention such as is proposed
the best written description never being so lucid
as to convey an exact idea of a fruit.
The meeting will take place at season when
the fruit at the South is ripe; all who attend are
invited and requested to bring samples of their
grapes, ripe il possible, and green if otherwise
with leaf and piece of the wood, and names and
synonyms attached. Those who cannot attend are
requested to forward samples as above. Thus, if
we assisted by the good will of majority of Vine
Growers, most of the varieties in the States will be
represented; their qualities, names, synonyms, sizes
degrees of maturity, etc, will be compared and
vast amount of invaluable information derived.
Names will be agreed upon, accepted or rejected
with good authority. Persons will also be reques-
ted to bring send samples Of the wild grapes
from their neighborhood in the same manner, and
the different species mi ght be finally determined
upon and each grape properly classed under its own
head or type-an object of great importance to
the Botany of the country, and perhaps, finally to
the making Of wine from them. We are daily
getting additions to list of natives, and unless
correct nomenclature and classification be at once
made, we will be thrown into inextrciabe confusion
expensive and troublesome to the growers. An
other object of the Convention is to determine up
on some manner Of naming the different Wines
The present way of calling them by the name of
the grape is in direct contraventon to the establish
ed rules of wl1e growing countries. 1t has always
been customary to classify wines by the name of a
State, Province or District, with the different
brands attached to them according to the name of
the particular locality. Thus the general name
"Wines Of the Rhine comprises many particular
brands, such as Hockhemer Johanuesberg, etc,
etc. Bordeaux wines include Chateaux Margaux,
St Suen, La Rose, ETC. The for this is
very obvious The same grape will make totally
different wines in different places. And again,
in most wine countries (and will, no doubt, |
adopt the same course) the grapes mixed. A
wine made from mixture Of Catawba, Isabella |
and Warren could not be called by either of those
names
At present we have a hundred different Catawba
Wines no two of them alike Hence, the proprie- |
ty of rejecting the ofthe fruit in favor of the
time-honored custom of naming after the State, |
District or river with brands of private names or
localities. Purchasers will then know at once
what they are buying, and will not be prejudiced
against Catawba or Warren wine, because they |
have tasted worthless Catawba or Warren wine.
Independently of the foregoing, the amount of
information exchanged by persons meeting in such
a Convention as we propose, would truly be worth
''mllions to the nation," and would tend to
develope that rich culture than all that could be |
written.
We call, then, upon all who cultivate the grape
interest in the success of its culture to assist the
committee in securing their ohject-a Convention
of Delegates from all the vine growing associations
in the United States, and of private and separate
vine growers. Let all who can come, determine
at once to meet in Aiken, S. c., the third Tues
day in August next (21st) there to assist in the
good work-to compare their fruit and exchange
their views
Aiken has been selected as being easy of access
from all quarers-north south, east and west
being at all times unexceptionable as to health,
and delightful summer resort for the neighbor-
ing Cities and well provided with ample accom-
nodations
Secretaries Of the different Associations connect
I'd with the Vine Culture, would confer favor by
forwarding to this Office, to either of the gentle
men of the Committee the names and localities of
heir Societies, and all other information they may
hing proper
A. DECARDEUC, Chairman. Woodward, S. c.
Dr. J. G.. w. MCDONALD, Woodward, S. c.
Fl. W. RAvENEL, Aiken, S. G.
f. J. G. WooD, Aiken, S. C.
D. REDMOND, Augusta, Ga
February, 1860.
pY~Butter is excessively high in Paris. The
pest table butter is dollar pound which usually
old for half dollar; common kitchen butter is
orty cents pound, a quality usny sold for