Good Grape Wine Company

February 1 2006

The American Vine-Dresser’s Guide

The American Vine-Dresser’s Guide by John James Dufour

Preface—Pages 1 - 3

It will be found something like presumption in me, to write a book in a language, to which I am a stranger. All that is to be published now a days, ought to be stamped with perfection: But as I had, and yet have to answer often, verbally and by writing, queries about my avoca­tion, I have attempted to write down, and give to the public at large, the answers to any questions which may be made about the CULTIVATION OF GRAPE-VINES, in the UNITED STATES at once; and have thought I should be better understood, than by letters, often written in a hurry.. The importance of the subject, and the great feel of such a work, will plead for the indulgence of the readers, who I expect will be able to understand it—for pains shall be spared to render it intelligible, especially where it is intended to give the practical or manual part of vine dressing. A little of the history of the in­ introduction of that precious plant into Europe from Asia, translated from the dictionary of Agriculture of LACE and particularly, in the United States, by our colony cannot be thought improper: Likewise, an outline of the different modes of culture, and of preparatory to establish Vine-yards, followed in different parts of the world, and seen by the author, who, in his repeated travels between Switzerland and the United States avoided purposely to follow the same route, that he might see more vineyard countries, and find out the mode of training and cultivating the vines, that would suit best this country. And would offer the largest produce with the least work and attendance, without regard to the quantity of ground employed, being so plentiful, that: the main object ought not to be, to get a rent for the land, but to obtain the most wine from the least labour; nevertheless:, our vine-yards, by the mode of training adopted, have proved to be as productive by the acre, as the generality of the vine yards in France—as Chaptal says. To obtain what was intended. I found it to be necessary to lay aside the mode of cultivation I had been accustomed to as not suitable for a country where there is too much land, and a lack of people, and invent a new way-for none of those I had seen would suit a new country; it will be found, however in the sequel of the book , where I have seen something nearly similar. As this country, like Lombardy, may and ought to entwine the grape-vine with the mulberry tree and make good silk with our own indigenous mulberries.

I think I shall not intrude on my subject by trying to encourage that branch of rural economy. When I last came from Europe, I purposely travelled through silk countries, to obtain information about it, from the farmers themselves; and what knowledge I have acquired, will make the subject of a good part of a chapter, and I expect it will be an acceptable addition to the work: Likewise, I shall notice briefly something of the quadrennial rotation of culture, adopted as the best by our intelligent agriculturists, and followed in Lombardy among their mulberries and vines, since time immemorial; to show the possibility making good and rich farms out of the poorest land of he Southern States, by imitating Lombardy. That way of cultivation being very little known, hints of its practicalness and enriching character, on both the land and its owner, can never too often be given; besides, it will suit very well any farm on which there is a vine-yard, by the abundant production of manure, so much wanted by vines, On manure I shall go somewhat into detail—for it is the main pillar in good husbandry, especially in vine-yards, about the use of which, I shall differ in opinion with many book-makers, but not with a single practical vine-dresser that I know. I will also try to save the character of our Cape grapes from being made merely wild grapes, be­cause some are now found in the woods; and, to put any one in the way to distinguish wild from tame grapes, I will give the description of the botanical characters of the blossom of both sorts. I shall try also to encourage those who can do it conveniently, to keep sowing grape seeds, to procure some new variety of grapes, which would perhaps answer better than any we have. Raising vines from seed, is the best means we have to obtain varieties. Particulars about that sickness of vines through the United States, which prevent the European grapes from growing welt here, shall be noticed, to excite the attention of the people to it; that the cause may be found, and of course the (remedy) preventive. The history of a curious discovery to make brandy out of water, found out the last year I was in Switzerland, of which I have great reason to believe I was the cause, will, I expect, be acceptable: but more so, of another discovery of my own, in the marketing of wine, of which I can attest, that it is a very valua­ble thing to any man who has to make wine; and I expect it will prove the same for cider. If the United States …

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