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Letter to Edmund Ruffin On the Propagation and Culture of the Vine. November 18, 1833 Publication of An Essay on Calcareous Manures, a landmark tract of American agronomy, launched its author, Edmund Ruffin of Virginia, into international celebrity. An agricultural reformer and cultural campaigner with the will of a rottweiler, Ruffin used his celebrity to publish an organ that could serve as a platform for his views, the Farmers’ Register. Ruffin contacted Herbemont for a contribution. After publishing his two-part treatise “WineMaking ” in the American Farmer, Herbemont felt that he had said all he had to say about viticulture to the readerships of the two journals with which he corresponded. He began publishing his series of essays on agrarian topics collected in part 4 of this volume. Commencement of the Farmers’ Register, however, opened up a new readership to Herbemont, one based in Virginia. His letter of November 18, 1833, supplied encouragement to Virginians who would attempt the troublesome arts of growing grapes and making wine. In this letter he offered his final assessment of one aspect of vine culture, grafting, in which he had been the pioneer. Published in Farmers’ Register 1, no. 8 (January 1834), 493–95. Columbia, S.C. Nov. 18th, 1833 To the Editor of the Farmers’ Register. As the climate and soil of Virginia are certainly well adapted to the culture of the grape, both for the table and for wine, we have every reason to hope that some day or other, this state, as also those adjacent, will furnish abundant crops of this most valuable production. Whether the time for such a benefit be near at hand, or very remote, necessarily depends on the exertions that are made to promote it. The great advantages to be expected from successful results in that culture, in every respect —moral, physical, political, and even religious—induce me to propose to you the publication of the following observation on one of the modes (by grafting) of obtaining, in a comparatively short time, extensive vineyards in bearing. So much has been of late years published on the culture of the vine, according to various plans, and also on grafting it, that it is not without some considerable hesitation published letters 220 that I propose to you the publication of this. I am satisfied, however, that what is true and good cannot be too often repeated, at least until it be generally known and adopted. If, not withstanding this opinion of mine, you think differently, you are at perfect liberty to throw it by. Whatever method we adopt of propagating the vine, there are some general principles which ought never to be overlooked. If by cuttings, these should be selected of well ripened wood, and about eighteen or more inches in length, planted somewhat sloping, leaving only one or two buds out of the ground. Although I admit that, generally speaking, a plant raised from a cutting, and never removed from the place where it was first planted, is likely perhaps to make a better and more durable vine; yet this mode is liable to so many disadvantages, that I give the unhesitating preference to planting the cuttings in a nursery, to be removed when two, three, or four years old, to their permanent situation.1 So many cuttings fail, that when a vineyard is attempted by planting them to remain, it requires several years to fill up the vacant places, which renders the plants in the same vineyard very uneven in size and age, and the large ones always dispute successfully the possession of the ground with the smaller and younger. By planting them in a nursery, they need not be put so deep; and by planting them more sloping, they may very easily be taken up without injury to the roots, and if they are transplanted with care, not two in the hundred will be lost. Rooted plants, then, render a vineyard much more even and regular than when planted with cuttings, one half of which, and often a much greater proportion, will die. One mode of propagating the vine is often resorted to, and, when circumstances will admit of it, is highly advantageous; for by it you may convert in one season, the native vines, males or females, or a vineyard of unsuitable grapes, into such a one as you may desire, if you have scions or cuttings of the kinds you prefer. This mode is grafting. Although the manner of performing this operation is pretty...

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