The Papers of John B. Minor, 1845-1893

of 1850-'57, e41 [?]9, and of 1853-4, c33, [?]1, $80,000 was set apart for pri= mary schools, $15000 to the Univerisym and $1500 to the Military Institute, VaCode (1860), C 79. [?]4,5.

During the war, an Act was passed by the Richmond Legislature appropriating $37,500, instead of $15,000, from the revenues of the Literary Fund, to the University, (Acts 1863-4, C20), of which three half yearly instalments it is believed, were paid. And one of the last acts of that government was a Statute increasing the appropriation to $75,000, of which of course nothing was received.

Present Condition of the Literary Fund. The Literary Fund has been diminished, but not destroyed by the events of the war. On the 30 September 1863, it appears from Auditor Thomas' Report, to have consisted of the following investments; viz

Bank of Virginia Stock, 2121 shares, at cost, less $30 W share, under act of 4 March 1846 $146,832.57

Farmer's Bank of Virginia Stock, 1054 shares, at cost 102,305.75 Northwestern Bank of Virginia 500 shares, at cost 50,000.00 Bank of the Valley 92 shares, at cost 10,134.00 [Fairmont?] Bank 1000 shares, at cost 50,000.00 Old James River Company 225 shares, at cost 96,950.00 Certificates of State, [viz?]

Old Military debt, 6pr cent, par value, [recognized & confirmed by [?] 1824-5, c29, & 1852-3, C17] $24,039.17 Bank loan 1814, (war of 1812, i.e money originally lent by the Banks for war purposes, and refunded by U States), [recognized & confd. by Statutes as above], 7pr cent 319,000.00 [?] Commonwealth, (Act 18 March 1856) 50.562.00 393,607,72 Internal Improvement debt, 5 pr ct., par value $155,200.00 cost 155,750.00

{Forward Total of Literary Fund $2,344,714.} {Stock of Bank of [?], Farmer's Bank & $293,607.72} {Confederate-States Stock 454,923.44 748,52} {Balance of investments, not apparently bad- $1,596,189.65}

These remaining securities which, all still, on hand, appear to be the identical ones in which the fund was invested in 1860, having been inchanged for {more than [80?]}many years, and it would seem that these can be regarded as unavailable, only upon the supposition that the State of Virginia does not propose to redeem her ob- jections! The annual revenue derived from them, will amount to about $112,000.

Necessary Annual Expenditures of the University.

The budget of necessary expenses, in the present status of the Institution, (which is reduced by two professors, & several Assistant Institutions, from what it was in 1860), may be thus summed up; viz.

For Instruction,- Professor's Salaries, (11 in number) $11,000. Demonstrator of Anatomy 500. $11,500. For Officer's Salaries,- Chairman $500. Porter & Superintendent of grounds 1,800. Librarian 600. Secretary of Faculty 200. Janitor 300. Secretary of Visitors 200. 3,000.

For Repairs of Improvements 5,000. For Labour employed, including attendance on Lect. Rooms &c. 500. For advertising & Printing 600. For Insurance $650; Fuel 7 Lights for Public Rooms, say $400 1,050. For Library, including General, Scientific, Medical & Law Depart. 2,000. For Schools of Chemistry, Nat. Philos. & Anat. Apparat. 400. For Interest on Debt of University (Say $38,500), say 2,300. For Expenses of Visitors, say 200. For Miscellaneous Expenses, say 1,000. $28,200.

Several of these items, it may be observed, are advanced

in aminn? since 1845, in unseprence? of the enlargement of the staff of institutions, and the intension of the holdings, and by reason also of the increase of the ditracy? + apparatus which the upanding reputation of the University renders indispensible. But comparing their statement with the annened table of artue? expenditures for five years ?fine the war, it will be apparent that no more over estimate has been made.

Statement of Annua Expense of University for 5 Years

( Drawn data table)

§(h) Lahus included in 'Repaid to.' Mstmition, during these years exceeds the amount now estimated for it, because there were then 13, instead of only 11 professors, and there were also assistant instructors, (made In of students), in several of them? Who???. And indeed, as the number of students increases, a proportionate enlargement of the Con?es of inatmioton? will again to requisite. Labour, + Rapairs of Improvements were much R?unllen in 1857, '58 and '58 by the Constitution of wate? con?s, the changes made in a view to abriviate the recurrence of the typhoid epidemic ?heih saye, expenditures were met in la?ye part, by a special appropriation by the Gen. Assembly of H 25,000, (Acts 1853-4, c 3b), and by the proceed of the sake of the forum den derisee? to the University, by the late Martin Dawses. To meet this expenditures of H28200, (which cannot be re? dueed? without an injury to the public semice proportined to the reduction), the resources, exclusion of the annuity, are a fortou? estimating the students at the present members, say 230, and reckon ing the cha??es as they now are; ??z

agst for White Hall 115 - 14 [Slavery?] Pt 34 - 20 Batesville 35 maj. [Sentsville?] 49 - 111 Porteis 11 maj Ch.ville 318 114 563 214

Please State, as much in detail, as may be convenient, on this paper,

I. The varieties of Grapes you seem best adapted to Piedmont & Virginia,- 38 [?] at, - 15 to 20 miles from Blue-Ridge range of mountain.

1. For the Market. [Harlford?] Prolific, Delaware, Catawba Diana, Concord, Iona, Israella Got Edel.

2. For Wine. Norton Virginia, Ives Seedling Catawba [Herbemot?], Perkins

II. The number of plants [proper?] to be set on an acre, especially of concord, Delaware, & Diana, respectively. 6 feet in the row and rows 8 feet apart in best 1000 parts to an acre = all.

III. The Expense, per acre, of planting & cultivating Concord and Delawares, (for example), respectively, and the Income likely to arise from each, (making the layout Estimate of Expense, & least of Income) for each recessive year, until they come into full bearing.

Concords-per Acre

1st year. Expense. the extra selected plants or best 2 years are best and in the End the deepest to plant the Second year they begin to bear & have plenty Wood & Cuttings. 1000 best Vines extra or 2 years only 100 Dollars. Planting & Preparing land 30 doll. Cultivating even 20 Doll. in all $ 650.00.

Delawares,- per Acre. 1st Year. Expense.

1000 best Vines [only?] good best select Vines or 2 years old good should be used is your Climate for Planting 1000 each Vines $200.00 [?] [ch?] see. Concord . 50.00 $250.00

Concords-per Acre

2d year if nothing grown between the rows the fruit Cuttings will pay for the [attendance?].

3L year about 500 Dollars clear profit

4th year. about 7 to 800 dollars Profit.

Delawares- per Acre.

as Concord

about 200 Doll Profit.

4th years as Concord

Norton Virginia Cost same as Delaware but will pay 1000 Dollars an acres the 4d year and so on.

IV. The best fertilizers for Grapes; the Quality proper to be used per acre; and how applied.

The best is to sow Veatch, Peas or Clover the 4th year in [?] of the rooms. Mow the grass or Veath or Peas and put it for decay around the [Stems?] or around the Vines, in 2 years Plow Clover under and sow again.

V. Whether, upon the whole, Grapes for the Market or for Wine, would be more profitable;- Baltimore being distant about 8 hours;- Philad a 13 to 25 hours; N York 21 to 45 hours.

You should plant all the Varieties Named as you have them in all Collars & early or late in the list for Market but Every one of these grapes will make Wine. But be sure to [plant] [plants]. Norton Virginia, Toes Seedling & Catawba for Wine in order to have money in Winter & Spring

Vi. How often, on the average, cups will be liable to fail; every 11 years we have a poor crop to pay [?] 1. To fail brutally- in 20 years.

2. To fail partially,- & to what proportionate entent. Every 5 years by Hail in this latitude Every 11 years by frosts.

Vii. Whether sugar (grape or cane), or any foreign ingredient will be requisite to convert the juice of the grape into marketable wine, & if to what & how much.

In your Section the addition of Sugar is not necessary as you have good warm Fall weather and let the grapes hang long on the Vines.

In Cold & wet Summers you have to use perhaps 1/2 to 3/4 [?] of Cane Sugar for Gallon and 1 [quart?] of Water to Each Gallon to desolve the acid. Grape Sugar is better. You can make them at 10 cts per [1b?] [out?] of Potatoes 50 cts per Buskel.

VIII. At what interval of time, after it comes from the press, the wine- product is fit for market,- and the range of [prices?].

You can sell the Wine in March & April next. Say concord $2.00 per Gallon Catawba?] 1.50. Delaware & Ives Seedling & Norton Virginia at 4 Doll per gallon, but 1 count it only in Profits 1.50 per gallon. Perkins even brings 5 per gallon so Herbert.

Ix. The cost per one, of gathering the vintage, {for} & getting it ready for shipment, 1. For Market. is most pleasure and about 10 Doll per acer.

2. For Wine- (including whole cost of manufacture). about 5 cts a gallon of Wine by the quantity or 35 Doll per acres

X. Any other desirable information, [touching?] Grape culture.

Avoid Cold places, wet spring water grounds Plow deep, plant deep have a [farrow?] on each Side of the rooms in order to [drean?] and plant Varieties mostly I dit nauce for year. Do not condemn Catawba try my Neco [System?] and your will thank me once.

Plant the best vines, never plant Vines started in Hot Beds or Green Houses from single Eys, the [Sickness is in them Do not belive every Advertiser with his cheap Vines, plant the Children of mothers brest or Nature. Never plant Norton Virginia & Delaware vines otherwise than the one old wood layer or from superior Start Cutting

[?] from Dr H. Schroder

Bloomington see;

Please State, as much in detail as may be convenient, on this paper,-

I. The varieties of Grapes best adapted to Piedmont Virg.

1. For the Market-- Concord- [Hailford's?] Prolific, Calawba. [Jues.?] Delaware

2. For Wine. Ives. Nortons Virginia, Calawba, Delaware. Diana. Iona

II. The number of plants proper to be set on an acre, especially of Concord, Delaware, & Diana respectively.

4 feet by 4 feet-- 2729 vines per acre 6 " " 6 " -- 1742 " " " 8 " " 8 " -- 680 " " " 10 " " 10 " -- 430 " " "

III. The Expense, per acre, of planting & cultivating. concords and Delawares (for example), respectively, and the Income likely to arise from each, (making the largest Estimate of Expense & least of Income for each successive year until they come into full bearing.

Concords- per Acre 1st Year. Expense.

The ground having been properly prepared - $5.00 or $6.00 will pay for setting the roots upon an acre 7 by 7 feet. If close it will cost more. If wider apart, less- Three good ploughings the first year, with two working with the hoe- in clearing the grass & weeds from the hills will do-- The tillage after 2nd years- especially near the vines had better be done with the hoe the [?] might bear a shallow ploughing [?] their middle - so as not to distint

Delawares- per Acre. 1st Year- Expense.

The cuttings from the vines, will be worth the ex pense of cultivation, taken off the vines of the 'Ives Iona's Delawares & Concords- to those desiring to propagate- that's a branch of the business, however, not suited to every person.

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.