Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-02-07
AGRICULTURAL.
Henry WcIis.s Grape House at
AurOrn. n. w.

Much interest has been induced among
grape growers in the new mode of construct
ing wineries described and recommended
by William Bright of Philadelphia, in his
recently published work on this subject
Without wishing to discuss the merits of
this mode at present, we-think our readers
will be interested in brief notice of the
very successful experiment made by Henry
Wells, Esq, OF Aurora, n. Y, under the
careful management of James II. Cruise, his
gardener. He has erected small structure,
20 by so feet, with curvclincar roof, and
octagonal ends, surmountcd by yentilating
top; the whole forming neat and beauti-
fol building. 1t contains fifty vines, now
twenty one months since they were trans
planted into the winery, and having already
ripened, carly in summer ssory lunches OF
excellent fruit.
In constructing the house o cellar was
first dug and walled, about three feet deep
A floor was then laid of hard burnt brick
and b1ck placed on edge supporting another
brick floor, with space ot air between the
two, equal to the breadth of the brick sup
porting the upper one. On this upper iioor
compartments were made of brick, around
the whole interior, each compartment for its
vine being "a feet square, and holding half
cubic ward of soil. Next within this row
of compartments, walk of lattice passes
around tho house. The interior portion is
occupied with grapes in pots, and also with
carly vegetables, this space being about 10
feet by 40. A good supply Of string beans
were obtained the present season fit for use
about the time gardeners usually plant in
open ground. Grapes in pots, four leet
high, were loaded with about ten luXuriant
lunches each the vines being three years
old. Some beautiful ornamental plants in
pots, placed in the centre, added to the
interior appearance OF the grapery cis-
tern beneath furnishes mn abundant supply
of water. H;tching's hot-water apparatus
for heating the winery and the adjacent
small greenhouse, consumes about II tons
of coal annually. During the period ofmost
rapid growth, early in the season, each vine
evaporated about two gallons of water each
"a hours. The time required III attendance
has not exceeded more than one or two
hours daily, the pinchins, training, &c,
being done chiefly on rainy days, when work
could not be performed without doors The
soil tor the brick boxes is q mixture of ma
nUre, bore dust, and old dec0ycd animal
matter, all in compost several years. A
large share needs annual renewing, and the
labor and care are greater than that required
for a common winery; but for carly produc-
tiveness and abundant supply this far cX-
ceeds them. .--...
The vines were planted in November, 1850
and commenced their growth in February
following; they are now stout and vigorous
and cover the whole interior Of the glass;
Each has borne and ripened several fine
punches of grapes the present season. The
gardener thinks he can raise q thousand
pounds next year, and the proprietor gave it
as his opinion, that as matter of dollars
aud cents q good profit might be derived
from such y grapery, He expects to obtain
an abundant family supply, Immediately
following carly Strawberries. - Country Gen
tlemaa.