St. Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1845-1863, 1862-07-31
From tho Cccll Democrat
Treatise on the Culture Of the Grape.

By JAMES Si!OBE.

Although much has been said in praiSc
of the grape vine. and although some
able horticulturi>ts have written on the
only few among US who Eavc justly ap-
prcciated its value as IA fruit. shade or or
mental tree We either lack the neccs-
sary knowledge If its habits and treat
mcnt. or prefer the unwlulcsome sweets
OF id'encss to the pleasant and profitable
employment Of nursing the grape vine, for
the wholesome sweets of its delicious fruit
The truth of these assertions il plain y at
tcstc.. by the small number of vines We
meet, and by the pi,iable sight most Of
these present.
The drcary aspect of mary farm house
would be rendered cheerful, blind walls of
dwellings and out-housrs in Villages aud
towns. now staring at the pasScr-by with
their dull eyes of brick aud mortar would
be driven into the back ground by training
grape VINES against them Vacant spaces
III the yard or lawn would be occupied by
this ornamental tree; dead trees even
would bc-a,tiIrd in its splendid garb; the
sun would be excluded from the walks of
the garden by its shade, which woull be-
sides contain a patch O. grapes as we'll as
greens: and above ALL every farm would
have its vineyard be it ever 50 small--'J
uc only knr~ ho,c to do IT, or knowing
.Uou'd "a, It,"
Is there among natures own hanlworks
one more sublime than its pet creation
.'Mr rinc" and the celebrations bestowed
on it throughout the different stages of the
growing season? from the unfolding Of the
bud into nany-lucd leaflets to its rami
tcation and goldcn-tintcd leaves in au
tumn from the development of the fra
grant fruit blossoms to the perfection Of
the berry? And oh is there anything
more gratifying to the tastc-or more
tempting to the sigh:-of everybody than
it's well-ripcnel. <rleudiily -col"rrd fruit
hanging in continuous garlands i'll the
vineyard from vine to vine, and from Tow
to row; or in smiling clusters Oh e>paliers
or arbors!
l make no new assertion whru | say
that the vine has no rival among the fruit
trees, for it was so declared centuries ago
hy the then civilized part of Europc hy
calling it GMIn. signit,ing tie Ld "t
trees" 1t Is. at the present time held III
that estimation in the vine districts "t that
country. where other fruits are - much
more perfect and highly favored thai:
ours: and Will he acknowledged t. be the
fruit of all fruits at our country 80 soon a>
we can iutr,,ducc aud successfully cultivate
grapes as good as those grown i'll Europe.
There are no Intricate complications
connected with the culture of oar native
grapcs-soIne of which have now attained
well deserved reputation and as high as
some of the best foreign varcties;-thcir
wants are few, but, to insure success, must
be attended TO regularly and syst"matcal-
; ~; they are easily accommodated ana
grow i'll almost every situaton, and are
more tenacious Of life under bad treatment
than any other fruit tree But the vine is
most grateful to, and rewards HIN most
amply. who takes it under his special and
judirious care. virtually trahsioi ming in
his hands into c"rnHc"yid.
To assist iii creating more general ill.,
tercst in, and to diiFuse comprehensive
practical knowledge Of, the grape culture
in a concise MANNER. in gradual progress
sion aud in plain language has been my
aim in writing this treatise. Incomplete
as it is, nevertheless hope that it will
not be adjudged entirely destitute of in
trinsie merit; fully believing tia, ttric'
adherence to the rules therein laid down
will amply reward the labor bestowed OF
the Grape Ii"e.
The AUTuOR
Beaur.pGir. near Principle, Cecil county. M
No, oh, le6.!.