University of Virginia Library

Grape-Culture.

THE VINE, like wheat, antedates historic records. The
sepulchres and mummies of Egypt reveal both the fruit
and the seed, and the latter have been found in the lacustrine
habitations of Northern Italy. In Europe it is found
growing and bearing fruit from the Tropic of Cancer to the
Baltic Sea; while in North America it is found in native luxuriance,
of different species, from the Gulf of Mexico to the
Lakes of the North.

In the Icelandic saga of Eric Raeda (Red) found in 1650 in
manuscript, and the Kraelsefne saga, translated by Prof. Raffn
of Copenhagen, in the beginning of this century, we find that
those Icelanders made a permanent settlement in Greenland;
and the sons of Eric the Red, followed up his expedition and
must have reached the coast of Rhode Island and Massachusetts,
near Martha's Vineyard, about the year 1000, and afterwards,
when they found wild grapes in abundance, from which
they named the land "Wineland" (Vinland). The knowledge
of this was probably lost through the fearful pestilence which
spread through Northern Europe in 1394 under the name of
the Black Death, devastating entire populations.

About the same time of this translation, that versatile genius,
Thomas Jefferson, first attempted the regular cultivation
of grapes in Albemarle county. He imported French vines
and Italian Swiss vignerons, and planted quite extensively
about Carter's Mountain, near his beloved Monticello. This
was a failure. It is stranger that his investigating mind should
not have suspected the cause of this and preceeding failures.
We say preceeding, because the London Company in Virginia
had made a similar attempt in 1630; William Penn had tried
it in Pennsylvania, in 1633; a Swiss Geneva Colony in Kentucky,
in 1790. All these were failures. Strange that this
fruit, abounding in its native luxuriance here, and which,
brought into Europe, from its probable original habitat, Asia,
had "intertwined its tendrils with civilization and refinement
in every age," should not be a success here.

All these trials were made with the Vitis Vinifera of Europe.
These, by ages of transplanting and abnormal culture, have
probably become so enervated in root and foliage that they
readily succumb to unfavorable climatic conditions, and their
constitution is too weak to resist the assault of Phylloxera, a
root louse, that for ten years past have laid waste millions of acres
of French vineyards, reducing the yield of French wines from
near one and half billion gallons in 1875 to some 700,000,000
gallons at present. From a large exporter, France is now an
importer of wines for her own supplies. This too in the face
of that persistent vigilance and continued efforts of the French
Government, to uphold this most important of its agricultural
products. As yet no remedy is found for this pest, save immersion,
where practicable. Now, the planting of the Phylloxera-resisting
roots of American grapes, on which are grafted
the Vinifera, rests the hope of rebuilding their vanishing grape
products. The same method is pursued in the new plantings
of European grapes in California, where all are grafted on
native roots.

This Phylloxera louse abounds with our native grapes, and
consequently those now in existence are those whose constitution
was strong enough to survive its ravages: all others

have disappeared. This pest, together with a tenderness of
foliage of the "Vinifera" not adapted to the climate of the
United States east of the Rocky Mountains, save in New
Mexico and portions of Texas, was the cause of continuous
early failure of grape culture.

It was not till in the forties, that Nicholas Longworth, of
Ohio, conceived the idea that this should be a wine-producing
country, and to make it so, the native stock must be taken as
a basis. This he encouraged most generously, searching for
all favorable varieties. Developing the better, discarding the
inferior. The Catawba was obtained from North Carolina, and
is about the only one of that date still largely grown. A host
of grapes then used have been cast aside and substituted by
new varieties with better properties, either for table or cellar
use. With proper cellars and vignerons he made wines in
Cincinnati, Ohio, on a large scale, which subsequently resulted
in grape-culture about Lake Erie, and extended throughout
the country.

Native Grapes.—Thus started, this new industry, with
varying success, but steadily advancing, by the erection of
proper cellars throughout Lake Erie region, in Ohio, Lake
Cayuga, and other places in western New York, up to 1865,
when domestic (American) wines demanded some attention
from the wine dealers of the country.

To the grape nurserymen in the United States from that
day to this, too much praise cannot be awarded. Looking, it
is true, to gain, they studied this most fascinating subject with
a true devotion, as humble citizens, wholly unknown in the
annals of grape-culture in Europe. Experimenting on the
traditional system that the "Vinifera" (European grape) was
a sine qua non for wines; they adopted a system of hybridizing
to obtain strength from the native, and quality from the
Asiatic descendant. The result is, that most of these experimentors
enjoyed a life of delightful anticipation, devoid of
realized funds, for the substantial comforts of life. Others
similarly fascinated, continue in the course yet, abandoning
the Vinifera mixture, devoting themselves to the improvements

of intermixed stock. Though delighted in his day (30 years
ago), Mr. Longworth would be amazed at the present results
of his initiatory movement on behalf of native grapes. With
the exception of his Catawba—immortalized by the melodious
verse of our genial poet, Longfellow—his then best varieties
have been discarded for other standard native grapes, numbering
now over 400 varieties. New kinds are in vogue, producing
wines, giving, satisfaction to the true European connoisseur.

This vast variety of our native developed stock is not all
adapted to the same or any one section, however perfect they may be in some given locality. This but corroborates the
grape history of Europe, where the removal of a given variety
to a different section or country results either in a total failure,
or such modification in the properties of the grape as to make
it practically a different fruit, the result of climatic influence:
for example, the grape of Burgundy transferred to Bordeaux
yields no more a true Burgundy wine.

Albemarle Grapes.—With Thos. Jefferson's failure with
his Vinifera as above stated, Albemarle county in the production
of tobacco for transport, and raising corn and cereals to
feed the negro slave, ceased to think of grape-culture. With
the exception of a few scattered vines about country gardens,
grapes were ignored, although its woods abounded with varieties
of the Vitis Æstivalis, now recognized as the leading
characteristic wine grape of the continent. Prior to this, the
country gentry affecting style, followed their English ancestry,
drinking at their homes, Port, Sherry and Madeira wines (so
called). Later this habit decreased and the native Apple Jack,
distilled from fine home-grown apples, and whiskey, usurped
the place of wines entirely.

The War.—With the little "sectional unpleasantness of
1861-'65," grapes were unthought of. Grapes and their product,
wine, are reverently spoken of in the Bible as symbols
of contentment, peace and social happiness. This unpleasantness
between the sections of the union promoted neither
of these triad conditions. Self-preservation, simple existence
in barbaric aspect was the utmost of our efforts.

After the War.—Albemarle county had escaped the
actual horrors of a battle field, but bordering on these, it
became the hospital and nursery for the wounded and dying,
the sepulchre for the dead, the granary for the fighting soldier.
The actual clash of arms ceased in 1865—the laborers
are freed and rioting in unknown realms of so-called liberty.
This was recognized property now confiscated by the conquering
section. It means poverty and bankruptcy to the former
master. With lands taxable and no labor; farming implements,
working stock, cattle all devoured in the past four
years of civil strife and no money, the people are at a loss
how to produce means for existence.

The superabundant lands alone are a burden; they are
offered for sale at any sacrifice. This induces many from the
Northern States and Europe to purchase and make their
homes in this invigorating climate. Amongst these are Mr.
W. Hotopp, purchasing "Pen Park" farm near Charlottesville,
once the home of William Wirt, an orator and Attorney
General of the United States.

Grape Culture.—Mr. Hotopp (at the suggestion of an old
Swiss, Sol. Seiler, who had lived here for long years before,
and who knew something of viticulture from his native land,
followed up here by garden grapes with a Frenchman, Mr.
Alphonse, a teacher of gymnastics at the University of Virginia)
conceived the idea that grape-culture would pay here
as an industry. In 1866-'67, Mr. Hotopp planted out some
grapes, with a view to shipping them for table use to some of
the Northern cities. Not having studied nor being familiar
with the subject, he planted indiscriminately different kinds,
with Concord grapes in the lead. Fine luscious grapes in
abundance was the result, and prices from shipping were more
than satisfactory. Here was a new product of agriculture
brought to light! Eagerly grasping for something more remunerative
than corn, wheat, oats and tobacco, several Germans,
who had settled here, planted vineyards, and some of
the old settlers pulled out of the ruts of antiquarian traditions
and embarked in this new pursuit. It grew successfully

from year to year, until now it is estimated there are over
2,500 acres in vines within the county limits.

Planting.—Climatically we occupy the latitude and climatic
conditions of some of the most favored vine countries
in Europe. The season is ample for perfect maturation of the
best wine grapes, exempt from serious spring frosts and early
frosts in autumn, with no excess of rainfall in the months of
April, May and June, nor in the maturing months of July,
August and September, seldom suffering from extended hail
storms, a clear sky and dry atmosphere. The conditions primarily
essential for successful grape-culture in perfection are
combined here. The fact that the grape abhors wet, as Virgil
taught, and still holds true, therefore a hillside is preferred to
a low, flat location. The soil should be dry, calcareous loam,
loose and friable, to facilitate self-drainage. Wherever there
are any disintegrading rocks, that will be an advantage as a
gradual feeder and mulch. Fresh lands preferable to those
long cultivated.

Trenching is the mode advocated for planting in France
and Germany. With the expense and scarcity of lands, and
cheap labor there, that may hold good—not so here. Plow
deep and thoroughly, following with subsoiler to make perfect.
Then land perfectly loosened and deeply plowed to eighteen
or twenty inches, is preferable; the plants should be put out in
the fall of the year, any time before a severe freeze. Spring
planting is preferred by some, and often with equally good
results; yet with ampler time in the fall and perfect settling
of soil, fixing the rootlets when spring opens, the fall is
deemed to be the best time as a rule. Planting should be in
rows from eight to ten feet wide, and the plants from six to
ten feet apart in the row, depending on the kind and its habit
of growth. Small growing ones like Delaware may be planted
6 × 8, the Concord and Ives 8 × 8, but such as the Norton and
Cynthiana should not be nearer than 10 × 10.

The number required for an acre at above named distances
would be 8 × 6, 907; 8 × 8, 680; and 10 × 10, 435. The plants
should be first-class year old. Their cost will vary much as

to kinds, times and places—from $20 to $75 per thousand
prevails with regular nurseries. The first year the land is to
be cultivated and kept clean, letting the young plants throw out
one or two good shoots, no more. The second year this is
repeated, cutting back to two eyes. Posts not smaller than
4 × 4 inches and 7 feet high, should be put in 2 feet this early
summer, 20 feet apart, and one wire No. 12 stretched, to which
the plant should be fastened taut, 2 feet above ground, to form
a permanent stock, letting two branches grow above the wire
to bear the fruit. The third year these two branches above the
wire should be pruned back to four or five eyes on each side,
and tied in a bowed position at the stem and extremity. Another
or two other wires should be stretched, to which the
summer growth is fastened during early summer, and the land
cultivated and kept clean. Some do not bear fruit until the
fourth year, and it is thought preferable that none should be
permitted to bear much, if any fruit, until the fourth year.

The cost of all this up to fourth year bearing, outside the
land, should be from $50 to $125 per acre, depending on
many surroundings and circumstances.

What to Plant.—A difficult question. No locality will
suit all grapes. A slight variation in soil, exposure, &c., at
but small intervals in space, adapts one kind of grape to a
given spot, when two miles away this grape would not do so
well, but another much better.

The natural and ultimate destination of the grape is the
wine vat, yet there are varieties popular and profitable, to a
certain extent, for shipping. These should be attractive either
to the eye or the palate, when perfect, combining both properties.
The light-colored grapes excel in this respect. Of
the large number of these now recognized as superior in
quality, the finely pink-tinted, transparent Delaware has held
the highest place in the New York market, for consecutive
years, in price excelling the much larger bunched fine grapes
of California. Of these, it must be borne in mind, that either
the table market becomes glutted or there are a number of
imperfect bunches which, if not put into the wine vat, are lost,

and materially affects the profit derived. This county abounding,
as it does, in a large admixture of iron in its soil, seems
peculiarly adapted to highest perfection of red wine-grapes.
This peculiarity is noted in the most favored claret-producing
vineyards in France, the land of the finest light clarets. Many
of the Labrusca species, such as, notably Concord and Ives,
prevail here, making a good, sound, palatable wine. But the
Æstivalis are unquestionably the finest native wine grapes in
America. The Norton's Virginia (miscalled seedling) originated
at Cedar Island, in James River, above Richmond city,
and comes to the highest perfection in Virginia. Dense in
color, abounding in tannin, it makes a characteristic wine of a
heavy Burgundy nature. The Cynthiana, first brought from
Arkansas, is so similar to the Norton that the two cannot be
distinguished in foliage, seed or growth. It is claimed to
make a finer wine, though that is questionable. The maturity
of grapes for eating purposes opens generally about the first
week in August, and for wine purposes they are gathered
throughout September until as late as October tenth. When
healthy and properly cultivated they yield a profit far exceeding
that of any other agricultural product, when sold to the
wine makers here at from $30 to $80 per ton delivered, while
the finer table varieties pay still more, to the extent they can
be shipped to the larger cities, all in easy reach by the diverging
railways intersecting at Charlottesville.

Although free from the effects of the scourge of Phylloxera
devastating the fields of Europe, and the pourridie, a root
rot, now making serious inroads on the Vitis in California,
the grape is not exempt from all diseases. The black rot and
mildew have of late years greatly affected the industry. These
are two different though somewhat similar fungi. The mildew,
long known in France, was there treated with considerable
success by the application of sulphur. More recently the
spraying of a liquid mixture of sulphate of copper, mixed
either with lime or liquid ammonia, on the foliage has proved
a perfect cure against this defoliaging fungus. Two years ago
the black rot also made its appearance in France, and the government,

with its vigilant protection of agriculture in all its
branches, is seeking for a remedy. None has yet been officially
reported. From present appearances (August, 1888) in a
few of the local vineyards it is thought that the above named
French mildew application is a promising preventive of the
rot also, when spraying is early commenced and repeated at
short intervals, May it not be that these two forms of fungi
are so closely allied that the death of one affects the other,
and a steady fight may gradually destroy them both?