The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-04-12
AGRICULTURAL.

We commend the following remarks on
grape growing, from the Eavsser's Monthly
Magazine, to the attention Of the readers Of
the MORNING STAR AND CATHOLIC MEssEN-
GER. There is NO insuperable obstacle in
the way of making much of our intra-mural
space available, both for profit and cmbel-
lishment. We shall, as occasion offers,
present such facts and hints as may serve to
inculcate a pure natural taste for this en-
joyable and innocent pursuit. Information
on this point alone may he we'll worth the
subscription price:
THE ScUrPERNONG-IAe Grape Of AMER
ica.-This most wonderful grape was first
brought to notice by Col James BlOnt, of
Scuppernong, North Carolina, who found
it growing Wild along the banks of the
Scuppernong river. There are three varie
white is the native, and is the one generally
known; it makes IN amber-cOlOred wine.
The black ripens after the white is gathered,
and makes a darker wine, though there is
no difference in the taste of the fruit. 1t
remains on the vine until after the frost,
and will sometimes keep till after Christmas.
The white berries are gathered by shaking
the vine; the black kind must be picked.
The golden hued yields n wine of the same
color, which readily induces intoxicatiOn.
The New York Watchsman says: awe have.
delightful memories Of the sweet scents
borne on the breeze, as we approached
Southern homes where the scuppernong
was cultivated. We have never eaten any
grape in Europe or America which suits our
taste like this, SO sweet, so refreshing, so
innocent" 1t is immensely productive,
surprising all others in its almost fabulous
yield, a single vine often producing annu
ally from twenty to fifty bushels of grapes.
vim in, this nt1y. Il coi1 fn hoy
yielded over fifty bushels this last year.
DR.. Neisler, of Georgia, has one averaging
thirty five bushels. There is one at Mobile
that produces forty bushels, bringing it's
owner over three hundred dollars. Col.
Ross, of Georgia, writes that he has vine
thirty years old, that yields annually from
tllirty-tive to seventy-tiye gallons of wine.
There is one near Somerville, Tenn, pro-
dGcing fruit enough for 1: small family, and
making IL barrel of wine besides. Two
vines are generally considered enough, in
North Carolina, for an ordinary sized family.
Mr.. Van Buren, estimates that one hundred
vines, planted on three acres of land, will
yield, every year after maturity, five thou
sand two hundred and fifty gallons, or one
thousand seven hundred and fifty gallons
per acre. Vines will live for hundred
years, continually increasing in size and
quantity, II properly treated. Other grapes
live but a few years. The scuppernong
never fails to bear, never mildews, never
rots, is seldom troubled Ivy frost. There
are but few fruit trees, of any kind, known
to live half as long us the scuppernong. Its
native region is u level, dry, sandy, open
pine barrens, along hill sides, near the Tar,
Neuse, Roanoke, and Cape Fear rivers. It
will flourish in alluvial bottoms, as well as
sandy plains. Thousands of acres in the
South could be planted. Indeed it will
grow in this latitude anywhere that corn or
cof will md 10 IN,
able as either. An acre that will grow
thirty bushels of corn will yield three hun
dred bushels. of scuppernOng grapes. 1t
will not flourish in low, wet, heavy land,
indeed no other grape will it will, per-
haps, come nearer to it than any other. 1t
poor mans FRIEND" because it needs no
pruning nor training, nor placing Of vines
along trellis work; because it never null
dews nor rOts, and never fails to procure an
abundant crop. The scuppernong outlives
man himself. 1t is more profitable than
corn or cotton, wheat or grass, or any other
product of the earth. 1t is also an excellent
preventive of disease, having been known
in many instances to prevent bloody flux,
by being used moderately at meals. One
vine will pay better than ten acres in
cotton, or corn, wheat or grass. Every
he will, procure one vine and have plenty
of grapes to eat for himself and family, and
add annually to his wealth from fifty to one
hundred dollars. Try itSEeader, and you
will never regret it.
THE STRAWBERRY ToMATo.-This tiny
looking tomato is becoming favorite |
among many good housewives for preserves.
Its delicate flavor, and its smooth skin rem
ders it valuable for this purpose.-Maine
Farmer.
ToMAToEs.-Much interest will he felt
this year in the tomato question. \ good
early is of vast Importance. The common
large Early Red has not been much ex-
celled. Reyes Early, though it was Il mis-
take introduce it as thirty days earlier
than any other Kind, is yet a good early
kind.
PEACHES IN FLOHIDA.-In the northern
portion of Florida, the peach, and its kin
dred fruit, nectarines, apricOts. and al