Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-06-05
ALEyA GAZETTE & VIRGINIA ADVERTISER
MIR. Bucks Vineyard.

Mrs DUCKS sAAcy 4AEus
The following letter from Front Royal to the
Rockingham Register gives description of
Mr.. Bucks Vineyard, at Belmont, Warren
county, Va.
On yesterday, in company with my good
friend, DR.. Garrison, of this place, visited
this vineyard. The intelligent and enterpris-
ing proprietor, M. B. Buck, esq, was not at
Shenandoah Valley Railroad, OF which he is
Director, having called him to Philadelphia,
few days since. | congratulate myself, how
ever that in the absence of Mr. Buck, was so
fortunate'as to be placed under the guidance Of
Julien Smith, esq.,, who efficiently conducts
the business for Mr. Buck 10 his absence. 1t
is enough to say for Mr. Smith that he Is a re-
lation Of that distinguished pattern of the true
Virginia gentleman and scholar, Ex-Governor
Wm. Smith. very soon found that my young
friend Smith was thoroughly conversant with
all the minutin of the extensive concern OF
which he is the intelligent superintendent.
It's not many years since Mr. Buck concelV-
ed the idea of divesting that portion OF the
Blue Ridge mountains, now covered with vines
and fruit trees, of its native growth, and sub
stitutng therefor, fruit-bearing trees and vines.
After years of toll, at an expense almost enor-
NOUS, lie mas luQtcu uuduc tuC AIotuIdih w
blossom like the rose.
Mr.. Buck has now about sixty or seventy
acrcs set in grapes, and much larger area
covered with peaches, apples, cherries and
other choice fruits-it is scarcely necessary to
say that the varieties of grapes, &c, arc OF
the choicest known. Under the Intelligent
direction of its cntcrprising owner everything
on the premises has the impress OF system.
There arc in the different vineyards not less
than eighteen or twenty varieties of grapes.
The most popular, and perhaps the best for
medical purposes, arc the Catawba, Concord
aud Ives. The wine made from tho Ives has
been cordially recommended by physicians as
peculiarly valuable for invalids.
\ very superficial examination OF the land IN
which these grapes are grown will show that
there are extensive deposits Of iron in the soil.
This olitsclf shows that the products OF such
soil must posses the elements OF iron, quality
50 essential to make a fine tonic.
There is another regularity about the wines
made here which is worthy of note. They are
pure. The excellent proprietor, desiring that
those who use his wines should reap all the
benefits from superior article, is careful no
foreign drug shall find its way into has casks
or bottles This fact Of itself, has already
made Belmont wine worthily popular wherever
introduced
OF course We went through the cellars. There
We found ample and perfect arrangements tor
the purpose for which they were constructed.
Everything necessary to secure the perfection
Of the wine we found here BY the way, this
reminds US that We saw some barrels, ut they
may be termed barrels, properly.) as is barrels,
many Of them being capacltatcd to hold up
wards of 1000 gallons of wine.
The grape brandy, made also at BELMONT
vineyard, is greatly superior to the so called
French brandy which is used in this county.
This Of Mr.. Buck is unadultcratcd, and there
fore, possesses all the virtue and value OF the
genuine French brandy.
Mr.. Buck, [ am glad to know, is already
beginning to realize return for his lndetatlga-
bic energy and perseverance. Although he
has made no very special efforts to Introduce
his wines and brandics throughout the country
nevertheless he has been furnishing quantities
of it to parties iu Philadelphia, Baltimore,
WASHINGTON, Richmond, New Orleans, Missis-
sippi, Texas, and as far West as Iowa. 1t is
rapidly growing 10 popularity, and as Physicians
fud that instead of druggcd Port Wine tor
their patients, they can get here good and
pure wine, they will recommend It,
ln reference to the peach, apple and other
fruits of Mr. Buck, presume none more lu
sclOus grow anywhere. The Typographical
location seems especially favorable tor the grow
lns otpcaches as it is rare occurrence Tor them
TO be damaged by the early frosts. The lovers
OF peaches aud cream need not, therefore 60
buds down in the lowlands, for it is seldom the
trees at Belmont fail to yield their fruit in due
season.
cannot close this hastily written article with
SW w rendering my Acknowledgements to MI.
attention
"nie visiting Belmont.
Iol" CRMGnuL-The Philadelphia Ledger,
s,;,r sri ,As'clng the gentlemen designated to con-
Te IT,l'u'e the Horseshoe Shoals Engineer
3;u'tu' 10 improve the navigation Of Delaware
RYE ,!kef; says of Colonel William 2. Craighill,
" ""v y, naS been appointed as the chief engineer
C,1 " 'ne proposed James River and kanawha
oaua! Improvement: "Brevet Lieutenant Col
vnel @ "llIlam I. Craighil, native of Virginia,
s'auaa'ed at West Point July /, 1858. Dur
IN ;ns Tue ensuing eight years he was employed
~ mua;lePalrng the forts and defences at various
@ p"snls OF the Atlantic coast, being in 1858 su-
rrtlne1Hdlng r engineer in building Fort Della
nsas "aIe lie next filled, in succession, several
rtoleSsorshlps at West Post, and was in COM
@and OF the engineer soldiers at that institu-
;nI "Va; For short time during the war he was
m al 'Ic held and was brevetted Lieutenant Col
Js Iel tor faithful and nertorious services in the
w.ense u OF Cumberland Gap. He was also bre-
ir iweto colonel for services during the late war,
W." W.: uecilned to accept that rank. He was ap-
rsu rUu'eu major IN the corps of engineers No
,r ouloer sd, 1865, and for two years was engi-
1 ueeT OF the detences of Baltimore and the Sus-
Vehanna river. He was then appointed assist
IaI Et 70 the chief engineers in charge Of the
1Vurth Division Bureau Of Engineers.
REED STORE.