Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-03-27
Grape Culture,

We are gratiied to learn that many of our
citizens are beginning to turn their attention to
this profitable branch of industry Our country
Is peculiarly adapted to the growth of the vine,
and the culture will give profitable employment
to many who are unfit for more laborious pur-
SUITS
We have been informed that our enterprising
fellow-citizen, MIR. Kline, German who is fam
liar with vine culture, and wine making has
bought small tract of land about five miles
southwest of Stanton, and will, this spring, set
out ten thousand vines Other gentlemen are,
also, making their arrangements to 20 into the
business.
From all We can learn on the subject, We are
inclined to believe there is no crop which will
yield so large profit as the grape. We saw
a letter recently from an intelligent gentleman
Of Pittsylvania, in which it was stated that the
grapes from a single acre in that county last
year yielded 5000. From other sources, we
learn. that from $500 to $500 per acre may be
confidently relied on. This is larger return
than the best cotton or sugar lands ofthe South
ever yield, and the labour of cultivation is much
less
In the present dsorganized condition Of our
hbour system, it behooves Our people to diver
sify their pursuits, SO as to meet the exigencies
OF the times. Orchards and vineyards furnish
the means, to small farmers, of greatly improv-
ing their condition. We should be pleased,
therefore, to see every farmer set apart a few
acres of his land for apples, pears, peaches and
grapes. Five acres thus applied, would yield
more clear profit than good sized farm, cult
waited in the ordinary way.
Grape vines will begin to bear the second year
after the roots are put in the ground. Roots
can be bought at from $50 to 500 per thousand
The cultivation does not require as much labour
as corn, and when the crop is ripe, women and
children can gather it.
1t would not be expedient for every one to at
tempt to make wine, because that requires skill
and experience. Most farmers should sell the
grapes, or the juice, and let those skilled in the
processes of wine making, prepare it for market.
One great advantage of the grape crop, is, its
certainty. 1t never fails in this part of the
country. We heard gentleman, who has had
some experience in managing grape vines, say
he had never known his grape crop to fail in
fifty years.
No apprehension need be felt about the want
of market. If our people will only produce
the grapes in quantities justify persons skilled
In making wine to come among us, we shall GER
tainly have them and if they should not come,
the crude juice can be barreled up and sent to
q L.. l. Il
high priee-say, from $40 to So. so per gal
lon.
In the neighborhood of Cincinnati, under the
auspices of Mr.. Langworth, the grape and wine
business have been greatly extended, and is a
source of very large profit.
We are not sufficiently acquainted with the
subject, to give detailed instructions for either
the planting or the culture; but we have been
. informed that light, gravelly soil is the best
The ground should be well broken up, and pro-
perly MANFRED, and kept clean as a corn-feld
with the plough and hoe. 1t is also advisable,
in planting, to put some fragments of bones,
cuttings of leather or old shoes and rags, about
the roots. These gradually decompose, and
furnish the proper aliment to the vines.
Any one DESTROYS of going into the business,
can readily obtain information of the subject by
referring to tho March number of the farmer or
by enquiry of some of their neighbors, who have
had experience. We have no doub. Mr.. Kline
would take pleasure in iastructing any one who
will apply to him.
Now is the time to begin operations. The
vines should be set ont during the month of
April.
In two or three years they will begin to bear.
As time is SO important in pushing forward this
business, all who propose to enter into it should
do so at once. The delay of few weeks is E.
quivalent to postponement for year, because
the planting season will have passed,
If there be any doubling Thomas among our
readers, who requires the evidences of his own
senses to satisfy him Of the advantages of the
cultivation of frt-trees and vines, let him visit
the farm Of Mr. Beard, about seven miles south
west of Staunton on the Greenyille road, and he
can there have the testimony of his own senses
Of seeing, touching, tasting and smelling, to re-
move every lingering feeling ofincredulity, Mr..
Boards farm was originally one of the poorest
and most unproductive in the county, and it
would have been impossible for him to maintain
his family on it by the ordinary system offarm-
ing. He had the good sense to see this, and
turned his attention to fruit trees and vines, and
we doubt whether his farm does not now yield as
large per cent. on the capital invested, and
labour employed as any in the county.
Why should not others follow his judicicus
e1ampleP
The prophecy imputed to Daniel Webster
bears peculiar significance at this day: 'Ifthese
fanatics and ahoitionists ever get power into
their hands, they will override the Constitu-
ton, set the Supreme Court at defiance, change
and make laws to suit themselves. Finally,