Note 71 — Chapter II · AMERICAN GRAPES

Rafinesque has also preserved for us the names of many of the vine-growers of his time. The following is his list: “Wishing to preserve the names of the public benefactors who had in 1825 established our first vineyards, I herewith insert their names. They are independent of the vineyards of York, Vevay, and Vincennes.

“In New York, George Gibbs, Swift, Prince, Lansing, Loubat, etc.

“In Pennsylvania, Carr, James, Potter, J. Webb, Legaux, Echelberger, E. Bonsall, Stoys, Lemoine, Rapp.

“In Delaware, Broome, J. Gibbs, etc.

“In Maryland, Adlum, W. Bernie, C. Varle, R. Sinclair, W. Miles, etc.

“In Virginia, Lockhart, Zane, R. Weir, Noel, J. Browne, J. Duling, etc.

“In Carolina, Habersham, Noisette, etc.

“In Georgia, Maurick, James Gardiner, S. Grimes, Checteau, M’Call.

“In New Jersey, Cooper at Camden. Another at Mount Holly.

“In Ohio, Gen. Harrison, Longworth, Dufour, etc.

“In Indiana, Rapp of Harmony, the French of Vincennes.

“In Alabama, Dr. S. Brown, at Eagleville.”

Continuing, he gives an idea of grape production in 1830:—“The average crop of wine with us is 300 gallons per acre. At York, where 2700 vines are put on one acre, each vine has often produced a quart of wine, and thus 675 gallons per acre, value $675 in 1823, besides $200 for 5000 cuttings. One acre of vineyard did then let for $200 or 300, thus value of the acre about $5000: This was in poor soil unfit for wheat, and for mere Claret.

“Now in 1830, that common French Claret often sells only at 50 cents the gallon, the income must be less. I hope our claret may in time be sold for 25 cents the gallon, and the table grapes at one cent the lb. and even then an acre of vineyard will give an income of $75, and be worth $1000 the acre.

“The greatest check to this cultivation is the time required for grapes to bear well, from 3 to 6 years: our farmers wishing to have quick yearly crops; but then when a vineyard is set and in bearing, it will last forever, the vines themselves lasting from 60 to 100 years, and are easily re-placed as they decay.

“The next check is the precarious crops if badly managed. Every year is not equally plentiful and sometimes there is a total failure when rains drown the blossoms; but an extra good crop of 500 or 600 gallons commonly follows and covers their loss.” Rafinesque, C. S. American Manual of the Grape Vines., Philadelphia. 1830. pp. 43-45.