Letter from Ashby to Minor re grape cultivation, 18 December 1867

Front Royal Va. Decemb. 18. 1867

Jno. B. Minor Esq.

Dear Sir,

Your favour of the 16th inst covering several interrogatories upon the subject of grape [cultivation?] was recd by mail of yesterday evening; and I take pleasure in responding to the same as fully as my information upon that interest will allow. Let one premise, by informing you that I am comparatively a new beginner, and as yet have but a small patch, not deserving the name of vineyard - My relative M. B. Buck Esq. who resides within a few miles of this place has given much attention to the grape, and now has some 30 or more acres devoted to them - and is preparing for enlarging his plantings. A letter addressed to him, would receive his attention, and his opinions, being more practical than mine, would be more valuable, and you might implicitly rely upon his statements - I take the liberty of sending you one of his cards.-

For marketing - or selling by weight in boxes or bunches. I would name the Concord, Hailford Prolific, [Catawba] & Ives - The roots of each can be had at prices ranging from $250.00 to $300.00 pr thousand.

For Wine - Ives, Norton's Virginia, [Catawba] Delaware, Diana, Iowa,

There are many other varieties, which are recommended by their respective friends, and are no doubt good grapes - but as yet, have not been tested in our locality - The [Catawba, Ives, ] Concord, Norton's Va. have proven themselves - The Delaware which in one of the most popular grapes for the table as well as for Wine - has not done so well here as some of the others - It is a delicious grape, but considered tender & a delicate [bearer].

More attention is now being given to the Concords, Ives, [Catawabas?] & Nortons Virginia - These are good enough for our purposes - The Iowa may be added to the list, though as yet that grape has not fruited here.

Some few vines have been planted, and another year may give us fruit.

The number of plants proper to be set on an acre, will of course depend upon the distance between the vines - Circumstances must control that - If the Vintager has but little land &high price, he will be justified in crowding the vines closer than if the reverse should be the case - Nearly every one will have his own ideas & be governed by different reasons in setting his plants - The thrifty vigorous growers such as the Concords & Ives, require more room than would the Delawares or Rebeccas - The better rule to observe will be to give room, and in for- ming a vineyard have a pass way at convenient distances for carts or waggons to convey off the fruit, as well as to supply the land with manures. I think 7 feet by 7 feet, ample, leaving each alternate tenth row for a pass way - say 10 feet wide - The accompaning table will give you the number of vines planted pr acre, according to the distance there indicated.

The expense pr acre of planting & cultivating will vary according to prices of labour & condition & preparation of the land - If you trench the land as done in Germany, France & by some Vintagers in the U.S. a very large sum may be so expended - and the longevity of the Vine may be then promoted - I do not believe the advange of trenching (unless upon wet soil which should never be selected [selected] for vines) will justify the increased outlay & trouble - We have fully demonstrated that grape roots planted as you woould an ordinary shrub not only fruits well but lives longer than the time biblically allotted to man of three score and ten . You want a deep, loose soil - which preparation can be attained by the use of a heavy plough drawn by three horses, followed by a subsoil plough & [?] drawn by two or three horses - which if well done will give a depth of 16 or 18 inches.

which will be ample - I reason from nature - The wild grapes grown upon our mountains & in our forests, where no ploughing or preparation was made - and do well - why should the grape domesticated & improved, acquire so much better attention?

The ground being properly prepared two good hands will open the holes & set 500 hills pr day & do it well - I had rather more than that done. The expense of cultivating, after planting, the 1st & 2nd year, will be equal or a little more than the same quantity of land in corn - The use of the hoe, in keeping the young plants free from grass will be needed. After the second year, it will be unsafe to use a plough, as it will disturb the young roots - which run in every direction -A small harrow to lighten the surface may be used -

If thrifty & properly managed your vines will bear the third year - The better plan is not to suffer them to do much of that, as they may overtax themselves, and consequently dwarf them for succeeding years - If properly pruned they will continue to improve & increase in qantity & quality for several years - The seasons being favourable, with proper treatment, the yield may be estimated from 500 gallons to 800 galls pr acre - No vinyard, unless extraordinarily managed, will produce grapes exclusively suited for market - especially as the competition in the Market increases, hence, you must prepare for wine as well as the table - selecting the largest and best bunches for the latter, and using the residue for Wine - Unless you have a cellar prepared for the purpose and your grapes shall be thoroughly ripe, too much so for table use, it will be necessary to use a pound of brown sugar to the gallon of must or juice,- Wine Connoiseurs will differ with me in the use of sugar- I am satisfied a little improves the wine & secures its keeping -

We have had no failures in grapes here, since that interest has elicited any attention. Last season was the most unpropitious we have had - The [Catawbas?] rotted some - a fair crop was raised not withstanding, the season.

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