National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-08
GRAPE GRO WING.
LETTER NO. FROM POTOMAC.

When the whole people eat more fruit and less
flesh, and drink more pure wines and less bad
whisky, there will be better health and more
prosperity. This is fact or opinion which has
been maintained by many sound thinkers and
able writer's for years.
In my previous article on this subject some
general remarks and facts were given in regard to
the manner of cultivating, the profits and suitable
localities for grape growing. And in this article
facts and results attained by experienced grow
ers from actual operations will be presented,
more than opinions of my own, so that the reader
may safely place great reliance upon what is here
stated.
Prot. VIM. Saunders, from large experience and
observation says in his report to the Agricultural
Department, "that an examination of American
wines and the progress of grape culture here has
impresst him very strongly Ofthe vast proportions
ard importance which this interest is assuming
He says further, when the proper varieties are
cultivated in suitable localities they will FORM 1t
may be safely prOphesied, sooner or later, means
Of largely increasing the remunerative products
of Virginia, Maryland and some other States. "
Mr.. Saunders speaks faYorably of the Clinton,
Catawba, Concord, Devereaux. Norton's Virginia,
Perkins, the Scuppernong and other varieties as
worthy of attention.
Following are some of the results Of operators
in different States, from which cutivators in this
region may gather useful lessons, especially new
beginners; and we submit one remark that fruit
cannot become too plentiful or too cheap for the
a fair profit to the grower.
IIPreTiously the achievements OF Mr. Buck were
Riven; here is another in an adjoining county
The grape and wfne-producing success Of NJ. B.
Buck, in Warren county, Va, and Of ID. @. E.
Brady, in Rockbridge county, Va, should show
our people the fine opening this branch Of indus
try offers all over our section of the State. Bucks
great whey ards, and the fortune he has made out
Of the grape, have been too often described to be
aP ain told, but ID. q. T. Brady, of Buffalo Forge,
is new beginner, and has been so quiet about his
twenty-five acres, planted hve years ago, that few
know OF 1t. Last year he made 1900 gallons Of
wine-about 600 Catawba and 500 Concord, and
the balance Isabella and Clinton. He made 1000
pounds Of Concord grapes on one aero, and others
In proportion, but having no railroads made moth
ing on the grapes. This wine is pronounced equal
TO the foreign article and sells readily at so
81 per gallon. making over 5000 for the crop,
and this was not considered good year, only half
Near Charlottesville, Va, there are three ex-
teDsiYe and successful graDegrowers and wine
makers, Mr.. RiersoD, Mr.. HotOp and ]. W. POI
ter, who have from ten to twenty acres each in
vineyard, and they make il the most profitable
part of their farm operations. Hilman Troth a.
Accotink, and Colonel Daniels, ut Guustou Fair
fax county are both successful growers of several
varieties Of excellent grapes, both for the table
and the wine press.
There are several other successful growers
proving that what Mr.. Saunders says is emluently
true, that Virginia and the Potomac river coun-
try are favorite localities for grapes. From the
authentic reports Of the horticultural societies
lessons.
nlinots-E. c. Halfway places the Concord
hrst for all purposes; Perkins second, and the
Clinton third. He says that Eve cents q pound
will pay richly, as follows: He planted vines
eight feet apart each way 900 vines to the acre
tied to wire treIis; tho Conuords will belr twenty
pounds TO the vine annually without injury to the
vines, which gives 1900 pounds to the acre at
hye cents per pound, giving 5000 to the scre de-
duct 500 Tor cultivation, expenses, market, sc 8,
and 500 for taxes, interest and insurance on the
vineyard and there is LETT net profit Of 800 per
aeTe-better than any farming.
MinnesOta-Truman N. Smith SAYS he raised
about four tons to the acre. Thinks the Delaware
the best grape for all uses particularly for keep
q n nv nf a., hi Ia
where they kept in fine condition until March.
DO best in clay soil: his grew in clay, on lime
Lcck bottom on olnfIs Of Mississippi river deeply
dug and trenched. mellow snd porous. eighteen
Inches deep Mr.. Harris agreed with Mr. Smith
about soil, but thought COEcord the better grape
to grow
Michigan-M. L. Shafer and Edward Brad
field recommend the Concord. Clinton, CataWba,
Delaware and Ives In the order named as most
profitable for that State. Near the river, below
Detroit, vineyard of these sorts and a few OF
others produces 6. 600 lbs to the acre and gives
gallon Of wine to Is lbs Of grapes about $50 gal
Ions TO the acre. He says they make their best
quality OF wine by mixing the pure juice-haIf
Concord, quarter Ives and quarter NOrton's Vir-
ginia-better than either alone.
Martin Walsh has a small vineyard Of 2J5 acres
with 800 vines, OOncords, from which he sold
2S,5CO lbs OF grapes, realizing cents per pound
profits and production can be obtained in those
cold northern regions, what may be done in the
more genial climes and longer warm seasons Of
Maryland and Virginia. And IL 3 cents q pound
will give such large profits the grapes can be
raised at considerably less price, and then pay
much more than general farming. And ifsold so
low that everybody can buy there will be no dan
ger Of OverstOcking the market. In q genial
country like ours, with plenty of land, the mil
lion shoots have plenty Of grapes and wine At
cheap prices, and those who furnish Will make
profits
Obio.-Thomas Whelpley. of Monroe county.
writes to the Agricultural Department that 1.-The
mouth Ofthe river Ratsin country to-day rivals
the famous Rhine country in luxuriance OF vint-
age. The six miles square, including Monroe
City, turned out over 1000 gallons OF wine, that
is actually displacing the GermEu wine in our
midst" Mr.. Flagg writes that thorough drain
age Of the land and sulphur applied to the
foliage Is generally a cure or preventive for mil
dew and black sickness and the "Trip on the
grape. The best growers urge thinning out the
fruit, for few years at least, as overbearing in-
jures the vines. with proper care and fair o.
seTvance of the laws Of nature and the requisite
conditions, it is believed Maryland and Virginia
can surpass Ohio and Michigan in grapes and
wine.
In the next number the details of planting
pruning and wine-making will be given. from the
most approved authorities; and, meantime "Po-
tomac' will cheerfuly answer all inquiries in his
power made through the columns of your paper
Potomac,