This section is from "The Horticulturist, And Journal Of Rural Art And Rural Taste", by P. Barry, A. J. Downing, J. Jay Smith, Peter B. Mead, F. W. Woodward, Henry T. Williams. Also available from Amazon: Horticulturist and Journal of Rural Art and Rural Taste.
A readable record, but with a tinge of praise to the Ives Seedling that makes one wonder how such grape-men as Cincinnati affords, should have so long remained in ignorance and blindness when the knowledge and light was yearly among them, and shown upon their horticultural tables. I am somewhat conversant with Cincinnati, and rejoice to learn that with all their discouragements in vine-growing, they have found at last a reclaimer for past errors in a grape that yearly produces over 500 gallons to the acre, and sells at once direct from the press at four and a-half and five dollars per gallon.
I am glad, also, to learn that this grape, which gives such a large quantity of juice to the acre, "makes an excellent raisin;' for in so learning, I have again to go over my reckoning, which has heretofore been: that a grape for that purpose should have little juice and a great proportion of sugar.
The writer says, in effect, if not in so many words, that the Kelly Island people "regard summer pruning in any season as a positive detriment." It may be so; but if such is the case, I can only say I think Kelly Islanders have come too hastily to a conclusion.
With all kindness, I must say they have been a little vain of their years of previous success, and had built up a tower of Babel, as it were, among themselves that, as of old, has fallen, and left them in a semi-wondering, semi-chagrined condition.
Their lands, however, are no less valua-ble as grape lands than formerly; and if they have overrated their powers, it is only a question of time to restore.
The record given of Mr. Miller producing on an acre last year eight tons of grapes, and this season his vines with a show of only a quarter crop, and many vines winter killed, is only another evidence that man in horticultural pursuits, as well as in mercantile, often grasps at too much, and becomes over-confident of his own knowledge.
 
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