The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1871-06-08
The Grape in Giles County.
NO. III.


NO. III.
Mr.. EDITOR We described in a
brief way, in gu. communication of
last week, the location of our vine
yard and the character of the soil
upon which it is planted. We will
not now return to that subject, but
will only say that the farm upon
which our vines are planted was
purchased expressly for a fruit farm
and especially with reference to the
grape. We had but few facts and
quite limited information in regard
to grape growing in this locality to
guide us in the selection of the
ground upon which to make our
experiment. First we selected high
ridge land because it was compare
lively cheap, and if the experiment
should prove successful it would
bring into market and render valu-
able large amount of similar land
in the county which had heretofore
remained idle md unproductive,
except in the shape Of taxes to tie
government. Secondly, because
the high table lands on these ridges
are above the frost line of the late
Spring and early Autumn-those.
late and early frosts which some
times do so much damage TO the
crops in this latitude. Every farm
er has noticed that the frost which
kills his cotton in the Spring or Fau
before it has matured, is always
much heavier on the low lands than
on the sides and tops of the ridges
Thus he has noticed, especially, in
the fields which lie in the bottoms
entirely killed by the frosts; while
the portions of the same fields
which lie on the sides and tops of
the hills remain green. untouched
and eontinOe to mature for several
weeks afterwards. The same facts
hold good as to the Spring frosts.-
They frequently kill the young
vegetation in the bottoms and leave
that upon the hills untouched. To
get the advantage of this-no small
advantage in grape and fruit grow
ing-we selected this high ground
for our vines. And lastly, upon
this subject, we esteemed as a great
value, the abundant supply of gra-
vel and rocks found in the soil and
sub-soil which afforded the under
drainage so essential to the vine
1t was indeed a strong place which
looked rather forbidding, with the
large amount Of rock and brick rub
bish built into tent chimneys near
" all over it Turing the war by the
Federal soldiers while occupying
this place. This rocky material
when lcosened up twenty inches
deep with the subsoil pillow, acts as
Il fine natural drain and saves the
expense of artificial drainage. Each
item of expense is a matter Of pri-
mary consideration in every exper-
iment.
But we promised the reader to
take him with US in this paper to
the vineyards on the banks of tie
Ohio, where we selected our first
vines. The trip was indeed
pleasant one and we hope to make
1t pleasant, interesting and instruc-
tive to the reader hereafter, but
have not time to dwell upon it now.
We will say however, that we think
it impossible for any one to visit
these vineyards become acquainted
with the grape growers there, see
the ease and comfort with which
their fortunes are made, and not be
intensely interested in the subject.
We visited many of them, Went
over many vineyards, through ma
ny wine cellars, found them all ex-
eeedingiy kind, obliging and ready
to give all the information within
their knowledge in reference TO the i
grape and its manufacture into
wine. Many Of thesewho used TO
work at IS cents per day in Long
worth's vineyards, had already
made large fortunes and many
others were on the road to success.
We there saw Ives Seeding, nor
tons Virginia, Delaware, Catawba
and other domestic wines IN casks
holding from Go 90 Coco gallons. as
well as thousands of bottles fiied !
With the same, stored away TO mel