Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-01-03

Ol0 NOftn SGaC6 Will soon Around Will
as numerous and productive vineyards as
those existing in sunny France, the valleys
of Italy and plains of Germany.
With the present labor system the peo
pie of the South have to contend with, the
difficulties existing in the way of profit
able cultivation of cotton and other staple
products are apparent. We are necessarily
compelled in the cultivation of the soil to
turn our attention to some product OF pro-
ducts requiring the expenditure of less
labor and guaranteeing greater proportion
ate profit, in order that means may be had
to assist in the support of cur families.
The cultivation of the grape is that which
promises this. To operate successfully O
vineyard of good size and a productive
orchard for the raising of fruit, will require
less labor than.s generally supposed. One
hand can make more money in the cultiva-
tion of one acre in grapes or fruit than can
be produced on twenty-five acres planted
IN corn, cotton, Or potatoes, with the ne
cessary force to tend it.
Of the various species of grapes cultiva.
ted, in the course of my experience in their
culture [ have found none SO we'll adapted
to growth and production in this climate
as the native grapes. The most prominent
of these are mentioned in my price list
which appears elsewhere in your columns.
1 OF the various kinds there named, the ear
liest is the Delaware, delicious grape,
which yields about the first of July,-and
here let me remark that in their culture
our planters would have an immense ad-
vantage in shipping them as soon as gath
cred to Northern markets, where their
early appearance would command good
prices. The Hamburg (black and golden)
is also an early grape, and bears about the
latter part of July. The Isabella (broWn),
Iona and Isarella, yield about the middle
of August, and offer fair inducement for
cultivation as early market grapes The
remainder mentioned in the price list are
late grapes, and these are peculiarly adap-
ted for wine-making purposes.
AS to the method of planting, beg
| leave to submit the following remarks =
The Scuppernong (black and white) and
the Flowers grape specially recommend
to the attention of our planters. When
the vines are obtained, in order to plant
them properly, hole two feet deep and
four feet square should be dug, which
should be filled with our rich native swamp
mud, partially mixed with mari, to within
eight inches of the top; then the roots of
| the plant should be spread over this rich
bed, and covered with the top dirt remov-
ed from the hole, which should be heaped
up fully three inches above the ground;
then this heap should be pushed down
with the foot until the level of the ground
is reached, which proceeding is of great ina-
porttnnce, as this pressure is necessary in
order to give the roots of the plant hold,
without which their growth is not insured
A common small lightwood pole should he
buried with the vine, rising to height of
at least feet above the ground, in order
hot &bo
port, and twine its tendrils about the pole.
This mode of planting refers to all the
grapes named, which vary only in these
particulars. The Scuppernong and Flowers
grape should be planted in holes forty feet
apart, which will give about twenty vines
to an acre of ground. The remainder being
of the kind known as bunch grapes, should
be planted in rows eight feet apart, each
plant in the row being also separated by
the same distance. December and January
are the best seasons of planting for aNthese
varieties
Now as to their care and culture The
method of cultivating the Scuppernong and
Flowers grape is not fully described or
laid down in any horticultural work that [
have seen published in this section. My
plan is briefly this: It is of the greatest
importance that the main stem of the young
shoot should particularly ylookedafterand
watched. See that it is we'll twined around
the pole we have mentioned in the mode of
planting, and all the little shoots which
branch off should be carefully trimmed, in
order that the whole life and vitality of the
plant may be brought to bear upon this
main stem. When it reaches height of
eight feet, the branches all the while being
carefully trimmed, a small arbor should be
constructed, and the shoots permitted to
grow and spread themselves in every direc-
ton. BY this time the main stem has
reached a sufficient size and has sufficient
strength and vitality to afford to be the
medium of nourishment from the root to
these shoots. As to the bunch grapes |
would recommend to those who propose
undertaking their culture to procure Full
ler's work on this subject, which can be
obtained through me.
| AS this information will meet the imme-
diate wants, and as directions concerning
the whole subject of grape culture are too
lengthy to warrant my intruding upon your
valuable space, and withal cannot well be
embraced in a newspaper article, propose
at some future day, not far distant, issuing
printed circular on this subject.
L think, Messrs Editors, that there can
be no doubt that North Carolina is destined
to be a great wine-making State if our pee
pie will but use the proper exertions. And
why should it not be Ohio, Missouri and
California have been crowned with success
in this effort, and there is no reason why
North Carolina cannot equal, if not sur
pass, them in this respect Lei our peo-
pie but use the proper exertions and sue
cess will attend their efforts.
Respectfully yours,