National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-11-02
VINE GROWING.

THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE.
In the multiplicity Of resources of the United
States-extending almost to inhnitude-enter-
prise has reached out its hand to grasp nearly
everything in science and art in agriculture, and
in mineral resources, and in all, enterprise has
been so abundantly supported by nature that, in
spite of war and all its attendant disasters, we
are among the prosperous nations Of the earth.
But there is one branch Of industry source Of
income and revenue, and individual as we'll as
national wealth, which is scarcely brought to
France there are H 6O.O0OoOS acres Of land en-
ployed in this branch Of husbandry. This
enormous extent of land is owned by upwards Of
100000 Of husbandmen. This culture employs
and gives support directly and indirectly, to
from fifteen TO twenty millions Of people.
dustry is that each acre produces from three to
four tons Of grapes, and If all were manufactured
into wine, minimum average Of 400 gallons per
acre would be produced. This would be an az
gregate Of twenty four millions Of gallons Of
wine. But, Of course, much OF the fruit is other
wise consumed. The expectations, however, are
Bordeaux alone was exported in 1873 S76OOO,OOO
worth Of wine.
with these figures before Us, there should be
no secret regarding the ability Of france to pay
her war debt. Besides France, Italy, Spin,
Portugal, Hungary, Rhinish and other Eastern
countries Of Europe make and export incalculable
ports Of Asia Minor export billions Of pounds OF
raistns every year. and for all these exports from
the grape growing countries the United States
affords one Of the most ready and abundant mar,
kets.
Scientists agree in the opinion that in numerous
sections ofths country are found soil, climate and
all other circumstances requisite to the grOwthof
the vine in every respect equal to any Of the
abOVe-named countries. In California II has been
abundantly demonstrated that the grape grows
As profusey natures perfectly, is as rich In its
flavor and as productive Of wine as in any Euro
pean country, In Missouri many varieties are
raised and sold ct one and two cents per pound,
the qualities Of which are suitable for wine. In
Virginia and in North Carolina there are great
numbers Of varieties of Wild native vines, pro-
ducing enormous quantities Of fruit without care
or cultivation.
II is surprising that Yankee enterprise and
speculative genius has not seized upon this won
derful source Of profit and wealth. Just here,
within nifty miles Of Washington, are thousands
Of acres Of lands lying waste and for sale cheap,
lands exactly adapted by nature for the growth
Of the vine. The soil Is Of the right quality, the
climate we'll suited for the growth, and the dry
summers particularly favorable to the maturing
and the hne quality Of the fruit. To show that
we are not all unmindful Of this great branch Of
industry, the readers Of TIE NATIONAL RBPUB-
LICAN may be interested to know that some gen.
tlemen in this city are already taking steps
towards an extensive Development Of the grape
culture.
They propose to secure tract Of suitable land
upon which is sufficient water power to carry
saw-mills, plane and grist mills, presses, &c,
with site for village, and to be divided into vim
yards Of ten, fifteen and twenty acres each. tx
peTieneed Vine-grOWers are to be invited from
Europe, the land to be sold on credit to them and
TO such Of our own people as may Join in the en-
terprise, and all facilities offered them to carry
out the plan to a successful result. There Is no
good reason why this latitude should not become
a famous grape-grOWtng region.