Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-06-26

u
for June we clip the following notes of 6
discussion, on this subject, at a recent
meeting of the Virginia Pathological and
Horticultural Society:
| MIR. ALLAN's ADDRESS.
! Within the last few years, grape culture
has received a new impetus on this side OF
the Atlantic and the increasing interest
manifested On this subject by the people
of Virginia bids fair to give her promi-
nence among the wine producing States.
Her soil, her climate, the diversified topo-
graphy of her surface, ranging from sandy
plains to more than Alpine heights, where
the lowland Scuppernong and the highland
Catawba may each find its own peculiar
home, point to glorious and prosperous
future, when her hiilsides and her valleys
shall TEEN with the fruit Of the vine -
when the not far distant day arrives, in
which the tide of immigration shall turn
from the cold and barren rocks OF New
England, and from the painless and mar
ketIess plains Of the West, to seek in the
genial climate of our Southern Atlantic
States that comfort and luxury which no
other section affords, then may we antici-
pate an era of prosperity seldom if ever
edualled in the annals OF the world
Nothing will SO readily induce immigra-
ton from Germany, France, Spain aud
Italy as the prospect of being able to cul-
tivate the grape successfully and on the
other hand, we need nothing so much as
this very class of labor and capital to de-
velop the production of wine.
| But while all this is true and may be al
| ticipated, there is a present duty incum-
bent upon those who already enjoy these
advantages, viz: To see to it tina. we put
forth every exertion to lay at east the
foundation upon which this supe' structure
is to arise.
The first, indeed, the essential thing to
be done is to acquire and disseminate in
formation. Our people need to be taught
even the simplest rudiments, and it be-
hooyes this society, standing as it does the
single representative of the great horticul-
tural and pomonogical interests of the
State, carefully to digest and promulgate
practical information not theories, but
details OF useful import, such as all may
easily understand and follow.
Having this III view, let US this evening
enter upon the discussion of the general
culture of the grape, with an honest en-
deavor to arrive at the best methods, with
out auy regard to favorite theories or the
requirements of so-called science for true
science explains phenomena as we find
| them, but does not demand that facts shall
conform themselves to scientific theories
| The first point in order, then, is What
location and soil should be selected for a
vineyard? On this subject q vast deal has,
we think, been unnecessarily written
There is little use in telling one who has
nothing but fiat land to seek hillside
The question is Will grape-vines sue
coed and yield well in any location ? And
to this we answer, yes. True, some of the
more delicate varieties, such as Delaware
aud Rebecca, require peculiar soil and ex-
posture, but sufficient number of the har-
der and more productive kinds, such as
Norton, Concord and Clinton, will succeed
we'll In any locality.
It is not question of location, nor of
soil, but of drainage, and wherever you
find land that, either naturally or by arti-
fetal means, is susceptible of thorough
draining, such as will carry eff the water
from the roots of the vines aud keep the
land from becoming sour and heavy, then
and there you have site for vineyard.
That gentle slopes and southeastern ex-
posures are preferable, will not be denied,
but that they are essential is mistake.
So with soil Light porous ones are best,
but the grape will grow in any soil that is
or can be made deep, loose and dry.
Much more important than location is
the preparation Of the soil. And yet, even
here much I'M jury has been done by instruc-
tions and directions more lengthy and diff
! ficult than wise or true. The idea SO wide
ly diffused few years since, that trench
ing or las was the case in many instances}
the turning under of a good surface soil to
bring to the top miserably stiff sub-soil,
was necessary, is gradually disappearing,
and we hope will soon be entirely dis
carded.
Our experience has been that the best
preparation of the soil is deep ploughing
and deeper sub-soiling. Penetrate as deep
| Iy as possible with both plough and sub
| soil plough, and if this is we'll done, the
want of trenching will never be felt. Nor
| is it expedient to have the soil too rich.-
If the land be poor, stable manure o. bone
dust should be used in sufficient quantities
to put it in good heart but high fertlIiza-
ton is not desirable, as it stimulates the
growth of the vine ct the expense Of both
quantity and quality of the fruit.
Planting is a simple operation, and with
one caution we pass it. Be careful not to
plaut the vines too deep keep the upper
roots near the surface, so as to give them
the benefit of atmospheric Influences
| This is the normal condition of the grape
vine. The roots of wild vines are always
found near the surface.
The distances ct which vines should be
planted will depend upon the varieties.-
Six feet apart each way for slow growers,
and eight feet for vigorous ones, are fail
distances.
Before planting vines in The vineyard
they should be pruned closely, leaving but
three eyes, of which only two should be
permitted to grow. The only summer
treatment requisite the first year, is the
destruction of weeds. During the first au
tumn, the stakes should be put in or the
trellises erected and by all means use
trellises instead of stakes, as On these the
sun and air have much freer access to the
fruit. They cost little more at the outset
but the superiority in the quality and yieic
of even the first crop from vines trained il
this way over those grown On stakes viii
more than repay the extra outlay.
Where timber is abundant, wooden trel
Uses are both economical and desirable
but near large cities, or in sections desti
tute of timber, strong wire makes goo(
and handsome trellis. The only objection t.
wireis that it is more liable to rub the bari