The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1867-12-20
GRAPE CULTURE.
Address of Rev. Herman Bekum before
the Tennessee Horticultural Society.

The following able and highly practical
address was delivered by Rev. Herman
Bokum, before tbs Tennessee Horticultu-
raj Society, at its regular mocthly meeting
last Saturday
'The mountainous regions of Tennes.
see, Georgia, Arkansas, Texas and Ala
bama may perhaps rival and even surpass
US in the future, but their inhabitants at
the present are not of day of which grape
growers are formed.' Such are the not
very Complimentary terms in which Geo.
Husman, prominent wine grower Of Mis-
souri,, closes his excellent work on the ma
tive grape and the manufacturing of native
wine. How far these words are founded
in fact the experience of 3 few yeArsis like
Iy to show. I am disposed 80 think that
the great change which has taken place in
the economic condition Of the people of
Tennessee and the mental activity which is
one of the results Of that change are likely
to disprove the prognostic g AR. TEasman.
am the more disposed to express this
opinion since, in the course of my late
travels, I have met in every section of the
State gentlemen of commanding influence
who not Only make the subject of grape
culture careful study, but who also apply
their knowledge to experiments Of more or
less magnitude.
The culture of the grape IS highly pro-
ftable. The fruit sells at from ten to IF
teen cents per pound, and on railroads or
steamboats, can be readily sent to distant
markets. Early in the year the vines
have to be pruned. in order to keep the sap
of the plant within certain limits, and thus
improve the character of the fruit. The
branches thus cut off meet with a ready
sale. If any cuttings remain unsOld they
may be put into the ground, and at the ex'
pirstion of a year they are roots which, i
not needed by the owner, are generally in
great demand. The sale of the wine made
from the grape varies in accordance with
its quality, but, with few exceptions, is
highly remunCratiye. Mr.. Husman states
that one-third of an acre of the Concord
grape, planted Eve years before, had pro-
duced, in cuttings, plants, layers and win,
the round sum of $4,000.
Tennessee is highly adapted to the cul
ture of the grape. The climate of Wes
Tennessee is rather moist, but there th
ScuPpernong is known to succeed, aad Othe
species of grape will. no doubt, grow we
there, if fairly tried.
The grape can often be cultivated o
portions of land, which do not admit of be
ing cultivated in any other way, and,
such cases, means Of income is openet
to the-owner of the land which does not in
terfere vita any of the other products {
his farm.
In regions where the peach crop readil
suffers from late frOsts. the grape also su
fers. but even there good year may NAL
up abundantly for two or three which a
not good. I planted in 1856. a vinegar
10 low valley Eve miles from Knoxvill
I lost two vintsges 10 succession by fros
in April in the third year the vines bo
so we'll that they made up for the losses {
the two preceding years. The banks
Eivers and hills of considerable elevatic
where the peach crop generally succeed
! are most favorable for the cultivation Of Il
} grape.
! Much of the labor required iu the vim
: yard Is so light that it can be done by ",
men and children, as a source of famusemer
and delight. The culture Of the grape T
quires therefore less hired labor than oth
| agricultural pursuits, and can be success
= fully carried on 81 less expense.
{ The culture of the grape, and the ma