National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-04
GRAPE GROWING.
INTERESTING LETTER ON THE SUB

INTERESTING LETTER ON THE SUB
JECT.
To the Editor Of the National Republican:
SIR: This subject is becoming one Of increas-
ing Importance, and is worthy Of consideration,
from the fact that the health as we'll as profits Of
the rural districts will be promoted by an increase
OF fruit growing generally, while, in addition,
this region of country is peculiarly adapted to
grapes and other delicious fruits.
No section within thirty miles OF Washington is
SO favorable for grape growing as the northern
bank and bluffs Of the Potomac above this city,
all the way to Harper's Ferry. Oatawbas and
Delawares have been raised In perfection along
the banks above Georgetown the location being
q southern exposure, is much mOre,desirable than
the opposite side Of the river; while, doubtless,
Of fruits, the north side is most favorable for
grapes, until you 20 far enough to reach the
mountains; then Virginia is the superior grape
country.
As numbers OF our people, particularly the
younger men-are talking OF going into this bust
ness the coming spring, few facts and instruc-
tons may be useful to them.
II It be desired to start vineyard In the spring
from cuttings 1t is best to take them of the vines
sand or saWdust, where they will keep dry and
cool, but not freeze or he too warm, It Is GHel
established opinion that cuttings which are laid
away in the cellar and then planted early in the
spring will make more root and q better growth
than II cut in the spring just before planting. In
tings. But where they can do so, and desire an
early vineyard, it is better to get vines already
rooted from the nursery. II new cuttings are
costly, two buds to the slip will answer one below
ground and the other just above the surface
as more roots viii be made, and greater Growth
above ground. But to save expense one bud in
the soil will answer.
The best location is = warm, stony hillside
8 uthern or eastern slope. A warm, porous soil,
well fertilIZed with leaEmold or forest scrapihRs
or WelI-rotted manure, mixed with muck or mari;
nnantitV aghns p lima yVff
the compost makes II all the better for both vines
and grapes. Iron ore or filings and scraps make
still better compost for this all other sOrts Of
fruits. Above all the land should be deeply
ditched and dry, with deep plowing or trenching.
The extensive and so long successful vineyard Of
Marshall u. Buck, esq, In " arren county, Va,
is on o stony slope Of the Blue Ridge. Mr.. Buck
Of the hrst in the State to turn his atten-
tion seriously TO vine culture, and has made
numerous experiments with different varieties of
the grape. All his experiments are in the inter-
est Of the public II one falls with him it is
warning TO deter others; II 1t succeeds It is an
example for others. The varieties Of which he is
eultivstIng the greatest quantity at the present
time are the CataWba, the Concord and the Ives.
The specimens Of the CatawbS are very ine.
They are subject TO no blight, are certain and
prOtuse bearers, and yield an immense quantity
Of juice. They make red wine. The Ives Is
also hardy grape, and yields q red wine ad-
miTably adapted for table use. Besides these
Delaware, the Iona, the Clinton and some others.
Mr.. Buck has above eighty acres in vines, and
makes annually fifteen to twenty thousand gal:
grapes to the cities Of Baltimore, Washington
and other places at good prices. Besides the
large crop OF grapes he sends large quantities Of
peaches and some apples to market, and the high
favor Of the fruit has commanded extra prices In
the Northern cities.
What has been dsne by Mr.. Buck may be done
by any one else on southern and eastern exposures
OF the Blue Ridge and other rocky and rolling
sections; writer speaking Of this success Of
Mr.. Buck, says:
"Ihis suceess Of Mr. Buck IN fruit culture is
important In its bearings the future OF the
State. II shows the feasibility OF q new industry
which may contribute largely to the renovation
OF the prosperity Of the Commonwealth. Wher-
ever soil, aspect and climate favorable to the
grape or the apple they should be awaited OF and
utilized. We must vary and multiply our pro-
ducts. Corn, wheat and tobacco cannot Of them
selves redress cur losses and restore prosper
ity. The Blue Ridge, with its various spurs,
irUn the Potomac to the North Carolina line,
would, properly cultivated, yield as much wins
as all France, with the addition Of apples to sup
ply the continent, unequAled anywhere else"
Here lie en- important idea for Maryland as we'll
as Virginia: their lands have been Impoverished
by grain and tobacco; other crops, fruft clover
and roots, must be largely cultivated to restore
the land, and make farming safe and profitable.
Mr.. Buck obtains Two 10 three tons Of grapes !
from the acre, and gallon OF wine from hfteen |
TO eighteen pounds Of grapes.
Mrs. Hussman, OF missouri, IN q recent article, |
SUMS up the sggTegaie amount Of ~ acres Of ]