Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-03
sCUPPERNONG GRAPE
IS WONDERFUL FRUIT
Virginia and the Carolinas, Where
1t Reaches Perfection, Rail to
Supply Demand.
CHANCE FOR BIG PROFITS
With Lands Offered ut Reasonable
Prices, Vineyards Soon Should
Prove Path to Observation-Disclosures
Income From $500 to $1,000.

income From $500 to vi 200.
Tho States of Virginia and North and
South Carolina have a valuable grape
in tho scuppernong. 1t reaches Its
greatest perfection I'm the eastern coun-
ties, bordering the Atlantic. and the
Sounds Of Albemhrle and Pamllco,
where the soil and climate seem par
ticulnrly favorable for It's cultivation.
II has been tried with Indifferent sue
cess In many other States. Even in
California repeated paintings prove the
vine has no liking for the conditions
found there. and, vice versa. the vine
fere Of California, in the home of the
scuppernong have failed. although they
have occupied the attention of horti-
culturists for nearly century.
Tho vine grows quickly. is long lived.
hardy and vigorous, and is almost i'm
nune from disease. II is the largest
domestic grape known, often mcasur-
ing two and Il half to three inches in
circumference. The skin is thick and
tough, but the fruit Is soft and Juicy.
with luscious flavor peculiarly it's
own. In the South 1t is extremely
popular as a table grape. and as a
vino grape the demand far exceeds
the supply. Comm crcially, this grape
could be made most valuable asset
in tho section referred to. but as yet
little attention has been paid 10 IL as
means of revenue.
GREAT YIELDS COME
FROM THRIFTY VINES
With care and cultivation thrifty
vine will produce more than double
the amount Of fruit and wine per acre
Of any other grape In the world.
1t Ia estimated that from vines five
years old an income Of from 5000 TO
$500 per acre can be secured. while
more than double that amount can be
depended on in ten or twelve years.
In fifteen years an acre should yield
an income of from $500 to $1,000 per
year.
Good grRpc-Growing farms can be
bought to-day In Eastern North Caro-
lima and Virginia very reasonably. and
we have shown that in fifteen years
nve-acre farm should yield IN income
of $4,000 TO $4,000 or $4,000 a year
on an average, allowing for large or
small yield, according to favorable or
unfavorablc seasons. The fruit makes
clear, light wine of very delicate
flavor, and, as before stated, the de-
inand so far exceeds the supply that
the product OF n vineyard is engaged
In advance from year to year.
Tho possibilities are immense under
present conditions. 1t is crop that
never falls. and the cost OF cultivation.
compared with tobacco. cotton, pea
nuts and corn. is trifing.
For the first two or three years the
land between the rows can be used for
other crops. such as peas. cotton or
tobacco. and any of these will be bene-
fetal TO the vines. II not planted too
close.
One hundred and ton vines to the
acre is enough. Each vine should
yield eight tn ten bushels isixty
pounds TO the busheD on an average.
The expense of preparing the ground
putting In posts and supplying the cut
tings must OF necessity be incurred the
hrst year although the wiring need
not be done till the second year. Be-
fore planting the ground should be
we'll plowed and fortified.
Posts placed at intervals of ten or
twelve feet. seven feet high, with wire
or Stats overhead. make the most an
proved arbor, No trimming or prun-
ing Ia done to the vines. and. as the
fruit ripens. II is quickly gathered by
Shaking IT onto sheets or canvas
spread on the ground beneath.
GRAPES AsIONIsHED
SIR WALTER RALEIGH
Harking back to 1886. we read in the
report made to Sir Walter Raleigh by
Captain Amadeus upon his return to
England from his first voyage TO Roa-
nokc Island, y c.. the following refer
ence to grapes:
(Which being performed O. g. nos
session taken) according TO the cere-
monies used I'm such enterprises, we
viewed the land about us. being very
sandy and low toward the water side
but so full OF grapes as the very beat
Ing and surge OF the sea overlooked
them, that I think In all the world the
like abundance Is not to be found, and
myself having seen those parts OF
Europe that most abound. find such diff
ference rs were incredible to he
written"
The large vine shown in the illus
tration Is known TO be over 900 years
old. and is still growing hearty and
vigorous on Roanoke Island not far
from the landing place OF Captain
Amadeus and his colonists. and where
for the hrst time the flag of old Eng
land was unfur1ed to the breeze OF
the New World
Tho smaller view shows the parent
stem, which Is sixty-nine inches around.
me area covered by the vine Is being
enlarged from time to time as tendrils
on tho outer circumference are turned
down into the ground. where they take
root.