Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-21
GRAPE CULTURE IN THE UNITED
STATES.
Mr. VIM. Saunders Paper Oh s. Grape
CIimates''-kavorable Regions for the
Vine-The Mountains of Virginia
Among Them-Phy lOxera, Etc.

In the paper read by Mr.. William Saunders,
superintendent Of the Experimental Garden on
Grape Climates" before the National Agri-
cultural Convention, Wednesday, he sad:-If
we plant several varieties of grapes anywhere
and give them good cultivation, they will show
great difference in growth Some will grow
well and hold their foliage through the season;
Others will lose their leaves entirely Next
year those that lose leaves will be very feeble.
and in some cases will die In any case the
growth will be feeble. If we cover these vines
in part with anything that will shade the foliage.
we see fresh foliage preserved during the
whole season. This seems due to drier conti-
ton of the leaves, No dew is condensed: ey-
tremeS of temperature are prevented This
indicates that the soil is covered by moisture
condensed in the leaves. Some varieties suffer
very little. Now. if we go over the country
there are found some climates where nearly ali
varieties do equally we'll Such are the true
grape climates. These climates are especially
noticeable as being along the lake shores and
larger streams and on the slopes of the Blue
Ridge at an elevation of from 400 to 2 OOOfeet.
Heavy dews and frOsts are rare in
such localities. On the hilIsdes Of the Southern
AlleghanieS the thermometer does not rise
in summer above So and the winter is mild.
The season is two to three months longer We
find the ChestivOlIs family of grapes doing ex-
ceedingly well there. The finest wines vet
made have come from these varieties and on
these mountain slopes. The indications thus
far show that grape and wine interest, equal
to anything in Europe, is destined to grow up
in this favored region. There can be no doubt of
the ultimate success OF this entire region in the
growing of both market grapes and wine of the
very finest quality. The foreign varieties can
not be grown there, of course The native
grapes, however, like the Northern Virginia
Cynthiana, Derbmart, and the whole family to
which they belong, are equal to any grown
abroad for wines.
THE PHYLOxERA.
There can be no doubt that this little insect.
that works upon the foliage and roots of vines.
has wrought great damage, But it is not true
that it is the cause of milde1p or the disease
which has been for many years the terror of the
grape growers Of Europe. The phyloxera ap-
peared in great numbers about the year 1852.
They viii completely destroy vines of feeble
growth. Sherry growing varieties may become
enfeebled and succumb The effect Of drouth
or excessive moisture may be to injure the vine,
and this is often put to the account of the phy-
loxera. All sorts Of injuries may be laid at the
door OF the phyloxera. We must be careful to
discriminate between the various canses that
are operative In producing these results
Particularly, we must not expect by any rem
edy adapted to the one to meet the difficulty
caused by the other. The grape grower must
guard all points. Climate. soil, variety of
grape must all be attended to with intelligent
care. When all this is done, there will still be
details OF treatment, which are equally neces-
sary.
This paper was followed By q very interesting
discussi0n By Prof Riley, Dr.. McMurtney. r..
Huser, Col Danlelss Of Virginia, and othera