The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-12-15
farm aud Garden.
For the Central Presbyterian.
Culture of Grapes and Wine Making
in Virginia

We have long thought that the substi-
tuition of the juice of the grape for the
6erv and deleterious whiskeys and bran
Hos was the best mode of driving intern
oerance from the land, and we were much
Tleased with the position on this subject
Of the able correspondent of the Central
pxesbvteyiar,, IL. M. c., of Philadelphia,
who undoubtedly Yields tacile and &C
complished pen. No one who has visited
Paris, and who is acquainted with the
habits of the French in this country, can
fail to be convinced that they are tenn
perate people, and that they do not drink
to intoxication, or injure their health by
the use of their light wines. 1t is the
rarest thing to see an intoxicated man on
the streets of Paris, and if such instances
occasionally occur, it is the use of absn-
the, or brandy, in which some few French
men indulge. 1t seems almost impossible
to prevent people from using stimulants
of some kind, and if they can be made
content with light wines, let it be done,
and by supplying our people with native
wines, the pure juice of the grape, made
in our State, we shall be adding an i'm
portant industrial interest to our re-
sources. We can make good claret in
Virginia, and we cannot see how this
wine if pure, can be an injury to the
constitution, or to the morals, and on the
contrary, we are very much disposed to
think it healthier drink in our hot sum-
mer months than tea or coffee, better sus-
tanning strength and preventing the ex-
haustion often produced by our long sum-
mers, and the hot nights attendant en-
them. Besides this, claret wine is healthy
estringent, and preventive of the diar-
rhes often prevailing in all warm CHI
mates. We were much struck with the
wisdom of the advice of al. M. c." on
the propriety of clothing men warm in
our winters and the inculcation to "feed
men generously" as preventive of the
craving for heating, fiery stimulants. AS
medical man, we can fully endorse this
position. The language used may well
bear repetition" Feed men generously,
and by so much, you weaken the craving
for unnatural stimulus. l am persuaded
that the woman who is herself master
of the art of preparing wholesome dishes
for her husbands table, who prepares
food in an attractive form so that his ap-
petite is satisfied in a normal way, sends
him forth to his labor doubly armed
against the temptations of drink. She
has anticipated dangerous appetite by
supplying full satisfaction for the natural
appetite. When think of the slattern
women in the world, Of the widespread
Ignorance of cookery, of the wretched
messes to which thousands of working
men sit down in the name of meal,
do not wonder that rising up unified, and
going forth, they take the glass as the
readiest means of supplementing the
craving which has not been satisfied"
Of course the readers of the Central
Presbyterian will understand that the
regular Editors are not responsible for
the opinions of its contributors. The DO
sition and opinions of the writer and Of
" Il. M. O" on this interesting subject,
must stand on their merits.
We may add that the forthcoming Re
port of the Commissioner of Agriculture
will contain long article on grapes, and
the suitability of the climate and soil OF
Virginia for their production, and the
manufacture of wine, with contributions
ofseveral correspondence familiar with the
subject. From this article we expect to
make extracts for this paper, with the
purpose of diffusing more generally infor-
nation on an interest which promises to
become an important one for Virginia.
Grapes and other Fruits
Set out in all good weather during the
winter, taking care not to set them when
the ground is too wet, for fear of packing
and caking the wet dirt about the roots
Set very little deeper than the plant orr
ginally stood in the nursery, shaking
gently, that the dirt may find its way
among the roots. If the roots have been
mutilated, trim them off smoothly with a
sharp knife, and remove portion of the
top in proportion to the roots DESTROYED.
In stiff, red soils, dig the hole considera-
bly, larger than the roots extend on each
side. In light soils this is not SO impor-
tant. 1t is well to raise the earth mod
erately about the tree to steady it, and
prevent it being moved by the wind, in
the spring dwelling off this little mound.
We have recently received from Mr..
Watkins, of Powhatan county, four young
Hotguenot apple trees (raised from the
cuttings) native Seeding of that county,
and also specimens of the apples. Mr..
Watkins represents them as great bearers
every gear, and unsurpassed as keeping
apples. r. p. Q
W. ;p4orJo1 IL 49, l.1 fl