Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1865-12-30

der, President
This is a topic which has very properly
attracted great deal of attention among
Grape gro wers, aud upon it some of the best
talent of our pomologists has been bestowed
| The great question is, what soils are best
adapted to viticultare. In the solution of
his important problem, we find that a great
diversity of opinions prevails among men
who are distinguished for their acumen n
observation, as well as for their superior
Judgment in deciding grave questions. Be-
fore coming to any basty conclusions, per
haps it will be well for US TO consult the
oraces of Dame Nature. Was she not the
first great vine planter? and surely she
should know sometbing of the wants and
tastes of her proteges, having had the
greatest and most extended experience Of
ANY Of US rqs fa n.as s.i 500. 10
iOur information derived from this source
shows us that the grape vine may be found
growing on all the various soil formations
Of the world. We find them on bare rocks,
that appear destitute Of earth, except in
their crevces; we see them thriving with
luxuriance upon graves, on clays, on mucky
soils, ON the richest alluvials on the river
botl oms on sands; and even on the sand.
bars of some of our streams, as we'll as on
I he shores of the ocean, we find gr grapeivines.
Some of these soils contain lime in abund-
ance, while others are NEARLY destitute of
| this element Potash. being one of the
constituents of the grape, would, however,
appear to be necessary constituent of
every soil upon which this plant is found to
thrive.
Geologicaly these plants appear to be
equally diverse 10 their selection, for they
are found upon the grauites of Arkansas
upon the trappeau rocks of Europe and
Asia upon the modern volcanic scoria of
Italy, aud Of the Western Islands upon
all limestone formations Of whatever age
and character upon the shales and sand
stones of the coal measures; upon the chalk
prairies of the Southern States; upon the
tertiary sands and clays of the Atlantic
coast, as well as those of the great Wes-
| tern plains; and upon the half formed
tafaceous, rocks-while the great drift
formation with its varying grayes and
sands and clay duvions, as well q,
lhe;more e ely comminuted alluyious salso
have their grape, vines. 5I
So much we may learn from the suddy of
Nature. 1t amounts to this: Every rock,
every SOIL in suitable climate, may pro,
duce the vine. But, further, if we
properly observe and study Nature, we
shall find that each soil has its peculiar
kind of grape, which would appear
naturally, to be better adapted to this than
to any other situalion-snd this fact may
become o matter of great practical value
10 vihe-panters
In this view 1t will become very impor
tant to study the natural soil of each
species and variety of the grape we may
| desire to cultivatevqand1 thus TO ascertain
| which Esrieliqa may be- most likely to be
best adopted to, aud prove most successful
10 our own locally. Still. we shall have
abundant exercise Of our powers Of obser.
walton for, after all, We must experiment
and decide by that rigid test, .,. N
AS a general, propositiops the majority
of observers-and they to whom we look
with confidence for an answer TO the
question Of soii-wil direct rs 10 the ctays
as best adapted to vineyard culture. This
is especially the case With those who have
derived most of their experience from the
culture Of those grapes which trace theii
origin directly to the species, vitis ldbrusea
| [Catawba, Diane, Iona, &c,
| The LAKE SHORE DRIFTS. +. .gtl
A large majority of the vine planters up
on the Lake Shore prefer stiff clays This
is true in the Southwest, where there is
), considerable admixture of lime, and
limestone boulders, in the clay; and it is
equalIy;rue of ihose who reside toward
the North easternl limit Of the State, where
the clays are, derived 10 great dtgre'
from the aluminous shales Of that regioI
lupon which 5 they rest, ard where thu
proportion of lime is quite small. BY th'
most intelligent and hhe most observing, a;
we'll as lhe mostl successful cultivators o.
this re gion We are told TO select the clays
No matter how still no matter how close
20 matter how perfect q water bed--ifil
he even poor, hard, white clay, that ha'
naturally produced "a forest Of large white
L "a. h oh Haf