Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-09
THE VALUE OF THE VINE.
A ATHRIvING GEORGIA INDUSTRY
Wealth I'm Easy Reach-RandOIph
COunty's BOnanza-Riches in Re-
fuse-A Future Bright with Pro-
mise.

MACON, November 4-Among the many in
dustries which are continually challenging at
tention in this favored commonwealth, the
culture Of the grape and its manufacture into
excellent wine is entitled to special notice.
Few have any conception OF the number of
vineyards which have been planted in Southern
and Southwest Georgia within the past five
years, and the extent of the recent vintage in
that section of the State. The writer was
present in Randolph county during the grape
harvest, and visited the works Of the
GEORGIA WINE COMPANY.
This organization was formed at Cuthbert
less than two wears since, Judge W. D. Kiddoo
exerting himself actively in its behalf. The
factory is well situated near copious spring,
Just outside Of the limits of the cor
poration. 1t is substantial rock ediice,
"a by 80 feet in size, with a deep
vault beneath. in which the wine is stored
In casks. The first season no less than 6, 500
gallons OF excellent wine were expressed and
barreled, which, In twelve months more, will be
ready for market, easily commanding one dol
lar per gallon.
The capital stock of the company is $4,000
(Which has been nearly all paid in), with the
privilege of extending the amount to $4,000.
AT the date of the writer's visit, the grapes
WAGON LOADS,
from radius of thirty miles, at the rate of 800
bushels per day. Already $500 bushels had
been received, yielding when expressed, 5000
gallons of wine, and it was confidently expect
ed that the total product of the vintage would
amount TO l2,OO0 gallons.
One bushel of grapes will produce four gal
Ions OF wine, which is made from the pure juice
OF the fruit, without the addition of single
drop of water. Much the largeet proportion
of the grapes are of the scuppernong variety,
only 500 gallons of wine having been expressed
from bunch grapes, such as the Catawba, Eng
lish and Concord.
The scuppernong seems almost indigenous
to that region OF country, and grows with as
little attention as the muscadine of the
forests Unlike any other grape, although
bearing more abundantly in some sea
sons than others, there is neUer a to-
tai failure or the crop. Rot mildew aud all
other diseases incident to the vine are un-
known to it, The wine from the scuppernong
has pleasant aroma and agreeable taste It
Is said to be better than the California wines
and fully equal to the imported article.
good crop of grapes from vines seven
years old is put down at $50 bushels per acre.
Compare this at one dollar bushel with the
profits of cotton plantngi And yet the
neecy staple requires ten times the amount Of
work in its production.
Five hands will gather fifty bushels of
grapes per day. The method of proceeding is
to spread sheets ON the ground beneath the
vines, upon which the fruit is shaken and col
RAPIDLY EXTENDING
in Southern Georgia. Thousands of Young
vineyards are just coming into bearing, and in
Randolph county alone it is estimated that
the acreage In grapes exceeds 800 acres. The
msjority Of vineyards are just beginning to
bear: When they attain to maturity the yield
viii be immense indeed. ''The Georgia Wine
Company has about sixty acres planted in
grapes which will produce many thousands Of
bushels in few years Already it has become
evident that their works must be greatly en-
larged, and this will be done
without delay. Indeed, in few years several
similar establishments will be required to
manufacture the wine of that immediate sec
ton. The company employ twelve hands upon
their press, and the next season expect to put
up . goo gallons OF wine. Upto this time they
make l,OOO gallons Of grape brandy, and large
quantity of the best vinegar. These important
substances will probably be utilized in future
the magnitude of the operations it is only
necessary to state that 1900 pounds of sugar
have been consumed the present season in the
manufacture of wine. The company expect to
make handsome contribution to the Atlanta
Cotton Exposition.
The eRterprising citizens of Cuthbert
deserve much credit for inaugurating
been proved that 1t will be highly remunerative
to the parties interested, and under the stimu-
lus OF the experiment almost every farmer is
be an important and profitable GddendURs to
the agriculturists of Southern Georgia. Would
that they would extend the cultivation of rice
sugar cane, peaches, and the various cereals
also. In the
DIVERS .TY OF CROPS
consists the only salvation and independence
or the husbandman. To rely upon cotton only
is a fatal mistake which, If continued must
perpetuate the thraldom and poverty of the
Southern planter Alas that he cannot be
persuaded to realize this salient truth.
H. H j.