Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-10-08
The Fruit Region of Virginia--The
Belmont Vineyards.

Correspondence of the Richmond Whig
FRONT ROYAL, WARREN COUNTY, October
lst, IS72-Front Royal is city situated at
the western base of the Blue Ridge, upon the
banks of Happy Creek-a babbling stream
which rises at the summit OF the mountain and
flows westwardly through Chester gap. 1t
emerges from the mountain short distance
above the town and empties into the Shenan-
doah mile below, just at Riverton, where the
north and south branches OF the Shenandoah
couhux. This Happy Greek, some thirty or
forty years ago. abounded with trout, but that
shy fish has disappeared before the destructive
hand of civilization and the nice cultivation OF
the Gardners and Barbees who have made
the fertile slopes of the gap to blossom like the
rose. In this gap and its adjunct, Hominy
or Harmony Hollow, where it rains every day
when needed the crops are always good.
Riverton, at the Junction of the two Shen-
andoahs is the point where the Manassas rail
road crosses and where the Shenandoah Valley
railroad will also cross 1t is the site OF a
Manchester in the tuturc-which in time will
spread over the beautiful intervening hills aud
embrace within its corporate limits, Its rival
Front Royal. Two years ago there was great
contest between these two cities for the loca-
ton Of the Shenandoah Valley railroad. Rlv~
erton won the prize, but the great flood CON-
ing on soop afterwards, its glorles were tenn
porarily dimmed. 1t is now recovering its
ustre and its ambition At present 1t
is one of the most important freight sta
tions on the Manassas road Here Mr..
Mines, after transporting his iron from
Page on fiat boats, has it transferred to
the rail- The cliffs Of North river which
are solid limestone, supply material tor lime.
kilns, which prepare immense quantities OF
lime to compete with the Tomaston In the
northern markets. Here also is a large -four
mill, which griuds most of the wheat grown in
Rappahannock, Page and Warren, and has es
tablshed high reputation for its brand in all
the marts of the country. 1t is owned by two
gentlemen from Pennsylvania (Messrs. Cohn Il
Lent, who have built beautiful residences, for
their families in the Mesopotamla-th centre
of the future cty-which will, IN time, cover
all sides of the lucid streams MeSsrs Cohn u
Lent are Just such carpet -baggers as the Vir-
ginia people delight to welcome.
But this apart The great charm Of this re-
gion is the extensive Belmont vineyard. Bel
mont is the seat of Mr.. Nj. B. Buck-about a
mile distant from Front Royal, due south, and
in full veW-situated halfway up one Of the
many spurs of the Blue Ridge. Here the cul.
ture of fruit is on the most extensive scale In
the State There are seventy acres In the vine
and hundred in apples peaches, pears aud
cherries-and the acreage is being largely IN
creased every year. Mr.. Buck was one of the
first in the State to turn his attention seriously
to vine cultivation, and has made numerous
experiments with different varieties OF the
grape All his experiments are in the interest
of the public Ii one fails with him it is
warning to deter others; if it succeeds it is an
example for others to follow. The varieties OF
which he is cultivatng the greatest quantity at
the present time are the Catawba, the Concord
and the Ives. The specimens Of the Catawba
are very fne The Coucords which | have seen
elsewhere are insipid, but here they are high
favored and delicious. They are subject to
no blight, are certain and protuse bearers, and
yield an immense quantity ofjuice. They make
red wine The Ives is also hardy grape, ,and
yields a red wine admirably adapted tor table
use. Besides these are the Norton seed,
ling, the Delaware, the Iona, the Clinton and
some others, whose names forget The crop
this year is the largest in quantity and the finest
in quality Mr.. B. has ever produced. lie is
now in the midst of the vintage. The Delaware,
Ives and large portion Of the Concord have
been pressed; but the Catawba vineyard is yet
untouched and presents magnificent appear.
auce The total yield will probably not tall
short of $4,000 gallons of wine and grape
brandy
The success which has attended Mr.. Bucks
efforts in fruit culture has encouraged him to
enlarge his operations. He is annually adding
to his vineyard and orchard, and has just com
pleted a new vault and termenting room thirty
four by eighty feet. This acticn speaks louder
than words. He is convinced by trial that fruit
culture will pay we'll on all theBue Ridge range.
Besides the large crop Of grapes, ne has been
market since the first of July, and the high
flavor of the fruit has commanded extra prices
in the Northern cities. What has been done
by MIR. B., may be done by any one else on
southern and eastern exposures OF the Blue
Ridge throughout its extent. The soil is ad
mirably adapted to fruit everywhere. lie tells
me that he believes it is a pecullarlty OF this
mountain range, that the soil is richer as you
ascend to the summit. 1t abounds with black
hornblende rock, which, by disintegratlon, Is
a perpetual source of renewed and renew
ing fertility. In many spots, where the
rocks are so thick that you can barely ind
enough soil to cover the roots OF vine or
tree, it yields the most prolific crops OF the
highest flavor. This is notably the case with
one of Mr. B. s vineyards.
This snrcess Of MIR, Bucks in fruit culture
is important in its bearings on the future OF
the State. 1t shows the feasibility OF new
industry, which may contribute largely to the
renovation of the prosperity Of the Common
wealth. Wherever soil, aspect and climate are
favorable to the grape or the apple they should
be availed of and utilized. We must vary ana
multiply our products Corn, wheat and to-
bacco caunot of themselves redress our losses
and restore our prosperity. The Blue Ridge
with it's various spurs, from the Potomac 10
the North Carolina line, would, properly cult
waited. weld as much wine as all France, with
the addition of apples to supply the continent
uucqualed anywhere else
MIR. Buck has thus far made only pure, VINE
wine unadulterated- pure juice of the
grape. 1t is his purpose to continue IN Il the
same line till the whiskey-swiing taste OF the
county is taught to appreciate the genuine
article. But he proposes to supply an inferior
article, genuine, though stiffened slightly with
sugar-a vim ordinaire-to supercedc to some