The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20

| for that purpose, that the seven years
had nearly elapsed before this was ac-
complished; yet, very early importations
| of the vine were made long before the
time necessary for planting them. But
large quantity of these imported ar
rived out of season: and when we con-
| slider the lateness of the season in Eu-
rope, when this cutting must be taken,
and the early time at which they must
be planted here. 1t will be seen that any
delay in the arrival Of the vessels must
| be fatal to the vines and they will ar
rive out of due season. Many more
vines had been shipped in due time and
had they safely arrived, those would
have been more than requisite to COM
ply with the conditions of the contract
upon all the allotments by the time re-
CURED All that have arrived alive have
been carefully planted and none wasted ;
as evidence of which they sold at first
at rs cents apiece, then 1917 cents, and
last year at 6A cents. A great number
died after planting, owing, as we be-
lieve. to the newness of the soil upon
which we are obliged to plant. The vine
requires old land. which we had not; and
at first, not knowing the cause, the re-
suits were discouraging. Those planted
in older soil grew better. and are not so
apt die. Again, many kinds ofvin e
have been imported which do not sue
coed in this country, and it is very lately
that we have been able, in some de-
gree, to ascertain the quality and kind of
vine best adapted to this climate. At
this time the greatest question seems to
be the proper mode of cultivation and
instead of seven, twenty years may be
requested properly to ascertain this fact.
This will be readily conceded when it is
known that in France, in many places,
the mode of cultivation is radically diff
ferent on opposite sides of the same
river or mountains, and on farms differ
emily situated in the same country Your
excellency is well aware how many years.
nay, centuries. Europe has required to
obtain this experience and perfection
We can assert that, from our own ex-
perience. seven years is not sufficient
to enable us to cultivate the vine in an
old country. and much more so in a
wilderness. We have, however. intro
duced vines enough to supply the country
in due time: and, whatever may be our
fate (perhaps, like most others who
have engaged in new branch of in
dustry), the time will arrive when,
through our sxertions. others may be
profted. 1t is not, l presume, vanity in
us to say that we have awakened the
public mind, and drawn It to the sub
ject, which is now fairly before the
people of this country, and whose atten-
ton thereto is favored by the general
state of things; and we trust the OBJ
jects of our exertons will be finally
accomplished.
You will permit me further to state
that Mr.. Adams government AGENT con-
ceived It to be his duty to report facts
as they are; consequently, In many in
stances. when the allottees had trans
mitted the vine for the purpose of COM
plying with the contract. and they ar
rived dead, or did not arrive at all. those
persons were reported not having COM
piled with the conditions of the con-
tract.
Your excellency will observe from the
report of Mr.. Adams. that many olive
trees bave been imported but We have
been particularly unsuccessful in their
cultivation, and it Is very uncertain
whether our soil and climate will he
congenial to their growth. Since Mr..
Adams was with us we have had a larger
Importation OF fine, olive trees; they have