The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1886-09-22
A LANDMARK ON THE YADK,M

ALANOMAKk On THE YADK1N.
On the west bank of the Ysdn:
at an elevation Of $50 feet above Alt va
River, on a grass covered nlatonre
stands one of those venerable "du'
fashioned but comfortable hons0 u
which in the years agone wera ~
be found all over the South .n W
which r ~inseparably associatad
with the ease, pleasure, eleoanoa
and refinement that characterize
Southern farm life in those times
The stately storm-beaten cedarS
lktanding around like faithful SENT;
nels, the security and quiet which
rested so soothingly on the scena
fbroken only by the chirp of thu
chicks and the lulling Jingle of the
cow bell at the barnyard gate, the
broad and inviting piazza, fringed
it's full length with vines laden With
luscious grapes, twas a delightful
haven to the weary and worn Editor
Seated in this bower of leafy vines
and purple fruit, listening to the
soft melody Of the murmuring river
and feasting the eye on the varied
and picturesque landscape, marked
by fields of corn, grass, tobacco, and
orchards, and resting on a back
ground of grand old Yadkin hills,
which were crowned with the rich
deep green, peculiar to her magnif-
cent forests, and above which tow
cred in lofty grandeur and bold out
line the huge figure of old Pilot,
we could but wonder why the sons
of North Carolina should seek a
home in other States.
The owner Of this delightful home
is Mr.. N. w. Graft, the originator
and proprietor of the Cedar Grove
Nurseries. Forty years ago at the
early age of Is years he began the
study and propagation of fruits.
His natural fondness for it has
strengthened with the years of labor
and effort, which to-day makes his
name familiar to lovers of fruit from
New York to Kansas. From insig-
nificant beginnings he has increased
and enlarged his business until now
he has over 1000, 900 trees, vines
and plants in stock. Besides this,
he has wisely and literally supplied
himself with fine orchards and vine
yards of the best variety of fruits,
from which he sells and ships largely
at remuneratlve prices. Of the
many interesting features of this
extensive Nursery which has sup
Piled SO, many homes Throughout
the country with it's excellent fruit,
we cann0s now speak, but we must
not fault to call attention to his pecul-
lar method for the protection and
propagation Of grapes. He plants
his vines Inn rows. Midway between
them he plants good strong posts,
taking care to have them about the
same height, with the top end
smooth. Along these posts he runs
two wiresy on which he trains the
vines. He now makes a covering
for the vines and fruits by mailing
along ON the tops of the posts, boards
or planks from IL to IA inches in
width. This covering protects the
vines and fruit from hail, heavy
rains, chilling dews, or excessive
heat of she. sun. He said to us that
he had no. dread of mildew or rot
that he had never failed to raise a
crop of sound beautiful grapes. His
Concord, Brighton and Delaware,
especially were not only sound and
perfectly developed, but were each
of very superior flavor.
He is a deep thinker and a vigor,
Gus worker, and keeps we'll informed
in matters appertaining to the farm
and to fruit culture. -
His carp ponds are very attractive
and are well stocked with that pop,
ular fish, Adish, elegantly served
by his estimable lady, removed our
prejudice against the carp as a table
fish. Those served we're about III
inches in length and were of exceed
ingly delicate favor. He said that
the expense Of preparing and stock
ing his pond was very small but
he would not take one thousand
dollars for them. We shall not soon
forget u visit to this interesting
onA hocn.koh1o 1000