Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-01-08
TERMS OF ADVERTISING:
81 q e COMMUNICATED.
Grape Culture---Wine. "a,

Grape Culture--.Wine. zza@,
As great attention is being paid to the culti-
vation Of the grape in some portions of Virgin
ia, and other States, 1 send extracts from an ar
ticle in the Geneva, (N. " Courier, on the
Vineyards 6f'' Crooked Lake" where the land
was, prior to the introduction Of the vine, con-
sidered almost worthless, but which since,is as
valuable as the most fertile portions Of the
State, and yield a very handsome income on
but slight expenditure Of capital. ltis hoped
that before long, Virginia will boast many vine
yards, her soil andclimate being most admira-
bly, adapted,to the growth of the grape. A.
sIt was question for many years, what Ger.
tain lands on the borders Of Crooked Lake, and
at Ham nonidsport, at the head Of the Lake,
were good for. The bluffs and steep declivities
could not, without great labor. be cultivated tor
ordinary clops; while some OF the lands were
80 slaty thatthey we're not considered adapted
to erainsiand ordinary farm crops. Weremem-
Der very we'll nwhen some of these lands were
in market5at FIVE dollars per acre.. but without
purchasers In fact, the. possessor ola few
hundred acres of these lands was like the man
that won the elephant ataraf1e: ne did not
know what toido with them. -, -,
Now all this is changed. The bluffs and
rugged hillsides, and the slate shelves, are the
most valuable lands in that section of the State.
They are found to be exactly adapted to the
culture of the grape. The result is, that with
numeroussand extensive vineyards, and three
Wine Companies with their respective Wine
cellars. .'.s .g.,,..-- f...ssIgse .si5aF .f.z,4
Large quantities OF the grapes are sold, but
the greater portion manufactured into wines
At this point there is an extensive wine cellar,
owned by the Crooked Lake Wine Company,
which was organized two years since, with a
capital of $4,000 Of which $4,000 was ex-
nended in buildings and fixtures They have
made still wines and brandy valued at $27, 900.
Heretofore they have sold mostly by the cas6,
but this wear they mean: to fill FIVE thousand
bottles. This Fall they, will commence the
manufacture of sparkling wines. -
Further up the Lake, about four miles from
Hammondsporl, is the Ur5ana Wine compa-
nv, with an extensive wine cellar. This is a
strong company. They have a capital of$250,
O0O They have 10 acres OF vines, 30 OF
which are in.bearing. They have l2O acres more
which will soon recovered with vines. Their
building is 10S by 56 feet on the ground, and
three stories high. There are two wine vaults,
each 100 by.22 feet and Is feet high A still
house, where sbrandyis distilled, is separated
from the main building in order to avoid the
heat proceeding from the boiler and STILL =
In 1865 this company manufactured 5000
gallons of wine. In 1866, $4,000 gallons.
They have manufactured 10000 bottles of
sparkling wine They have ordered and ex-
pect to fill this year 100000 bottles. ..s.., "a.
The Pleasant Valley Wine Company manu-
factured in 1867 Still Wines, 1000 gallons;
Brandy, 400 gallons In 1861, Still wine, g.
600 gallons, Brandy, 500 gallons. In 1862,
Still Wine, II 900 gallons; Brandy, 5000 gal
Ions. In 1863, Still Wine, q, 900 gallons;
Brandy, 1000 gallons. In 1864, Still Wine,
10000 gallons; Brandy, 1000 gallons. In
1865, the manufacture of Sparkling Wine com.
menced, and finer grapes, and consequently
more care used in the vintage, especially for
that purpose JnS1S65, they filled 10000 bot
ties Sparkling, In 1866, $4,000 bottles. =
The Fashions. Can any kind philantbropist
devise some appropriate costume for our wives
and daughters for these days, when King Mud
reigns supreme3 sItis SO painful to the eye
and pocket, too---ffor a patertanllias to see, a
velvet cloak decorated with a delicate embroid-.
cry of mud fromsa passing stage on Broadway,
and large rosettes. of the same material nesting
amid the flowers of q handsome bonnet. OF
course We do not mean a backwoods dress OF
butternut, but some material that is impervious
to slush and mud. The winter toilets during
the holidays are the pretfiest we have seen for
many years, and Dame Fashion seems to have
acquired common sense at length and to have
forgotten her extravagant notions: Evening
and carriage robes are perfect models of taste
and elegance, and the cloaks with their coquet-
hsh sashes tied behind, set off the form to-
Perfection. Our Paris fashions correspondent
rela'es strange event that took place at ball
IN the French metropolis. One of the ladies
appeared in rich black velvet dress and In
bushes. The latter article is quite novelty,
and as the season advances 1t may come into
fashion, although the 4 material is very scarce
and unattainable. As fitting accompaniment
to bushes, mask veil is being worn in Paris.
3 Whether bushes or the concealing veil will be
3 introduced in tie pious citysot Gotham or not
4 matter OF uncertainty. Brushing has been
A abooed by fashion SO long that our bellies will
q nave some difficulty In. learning the moaus ope
8 rands OF getting the blood up into the face
81 again. The WinIe er toilets may be seen TO the.
Il Test advantage In our, fashionable Churches
81 Inc pews seem like "a iparterre of beauty and
81 tashion, and more inqnisitive eyes are directed
81 towards their fair neighbors with critical views,
We tear, than towards the preacher At all
events, Madame Fashion has brought out her
IIsndsomest styles. this. season, and we only
aope she will not start of; on her extravagant
sagares again. A. Y:sHeraM. 1a aata8 -
VIE MEDICIE HAIR DRESSING.--This
H. superb article.is made after the formula of
a,;i, us celebrated Catharine de Medic A sample
dac % Se gwen 70 ladies wishing to purchase.