Part 4

"I have been favoured by your letter of the 24th. _Chaptal_, sur la Culture de Vine, _l'Abbe Rozier's_ memoire sur le mellieure maniere de faire et gouverner les Vins, and _Jullien's_ Topographie de tout les Vignobles, are the authors the most in repute in France on the vine and on wine. The first and last can be had in Philadelphia; and if _Rozier's_ memoir is not to be found, as it is an old book, you can doubtless find at your French book stores, his Dictionary of Agriculture, 5 vols. in 4to. which, under the head of _Vine_, will give you all the information you desire.

"The district which produces the best wine, about Bordeaux, is _Medoc_. That county is divided into upper and lower _Medoc_, lying between the Gironde and Garonne and the Bay of Biscay. It is much such a country, as to hill and dale, or general surface, as that between Philadelphia and Trenton, of a sandy, sandy-loam, and gravelly soil, with some few exceptions of small patches. About seven leagues from north to south, and three from east to west, of this district, is occupied with vineyards, which produce the best wine, whose expositions are from east to south.

"In this district, Lafitte, Chateau Margaux, Latour, Leoville, La Rose, Braune Mouton, and St. Julien, with various other qualities of Claret, are produced, which bring from $60 dollars the ton, of 4 hogsheads, (or 252 gallons,) to $600, according to the estimation they are held in. The vines in this district are not suffered to grow above three feet from the ground.

"_Hautbriant_ is produced on a single estate of that name, lying in La Grave, about a league south of Bordeaux. The soil is sandy and gravelly; so much so that you would hardly suppose it capable of vegetation.

"The districts which produce _Sauterne_, _Barsac_, and _Grave_ wines, lie from the skirts of the city south about four leagues, presenting much the same swell of surface as that part of New Jersey through which the mail runs between Trenton and Brunswick. The name of this district, (or, more properly speaking, the northern part of it,) _Grave_, denotes its soil _Gravier_--_Gravel_. I have seen hundreds of acres of vines in _Grave_, growing in pebbles, from the size of a bean and nutmeg to that of an egg, without the least vestige of earth, cracking under foot, and filling one's shoes. Of the white wines of Bordeaux, _Sauterne_, _Barsac_, and _Corbonnieux_ are of the first quality; but there are many other growths which vie with them, and the ordinary qualities of these white wines are various. I have purchased good pleasant white wine at six dollars the cask of sixty-three gallons. The quantities sent to this country cost from $12 the cask to $40. Of the other wines you mention, I have no knowledge.

"It has been stated that two millions of acres are taken up in the cultivation of the vine, in France, producing, one year with another, five hogsheads of sixty-three gallons to the acre; which, at the moderate price of fifty francs, or ten dollars, the hogshead, gives one hundred millions of dollars. This produce is immense; and, what renders it still more valuable is, that it does not lessen the quantity of other necessary productions, such as wheat, &c.; for where the vine generally grows _in France_, nothing else will grow: such is the poverty of the soil generally employed for vines.

"They have the wild vine in France. I have seen large quantities of it near _Bayonne_, and round the foot of the Pyrenees, up to _Pau_: the inhabitants make beautiful hedges of it, and I have been assured by a distinguished naturalist, Mr. Pennieres, who is now in the Alabama territory, that some of the excellent grapes of France have been produced from the wild vine, after some years of careful cultivation. He is now engaged in inoculating our wild vines with those of France, from which he expects the most favourable results.

"I shall conclude these hasty observations by an extract from _Rozier_:

"'The vine is a plant whose transpiration and _suction_ is _abundant_ and _vehement, which sufficiently indicates the soil and exposition natural to it_. For this reason, grounds, _composed of sand, gravel stones, and rotten rocks_, are excellent for its cultivation.

"'A _sandy_ soil produces _a fine pure_ wine. The _gravelly_ and _stony_ a delicate wine. Rotten and broken rocks a fumy generous wine, of a superior quality.

"'A rich, strong, compact, cold or humid soil, which is pressed down by the rains, and which the sun hardens or bakes, is essentially prejudicial to the quality of the wine.

"'The most advantageous exposition for the vine is that of a gentle slope, or side of a hill, facing east and south, on which the rays of the sun continue the longest time.

"'Hills, in the neighbourhood of the ocean and rivers, ought to be preferred to all others.' The lower parts of these hills are not so favourable to the vine as the upper, and neither are equal to the middle region, the soil being the same.

"'_All trees are unfriendly to the vine_, as much from their roots as their shade. All who cultivate the vine, should remember this precept of Virgil: _Apertos Bacchus amat colles._--The vine flourishes in the open unshaded hills.

"'In a word, the vine ought never to be planted in soils that can produce grain, &c. because it wants nothing but heat, and thrives best in the poorest ground. This will appear ridiculous to those who look for _quantity_: but as to the quality of the wine, it is in strict conformity with the laws of vegetation and with experience. I must be understood to speak here of countries only whose temperatures are favourable to the success of vineyards. We must except those in more northern latitudes. These general precepts admit of no exceptions: They will be acknowledged by all those who, with good faith, and free of prejudices, have studied the cultivation of the vine. If other modes and precepts are followed, we cannot answer for the age of the vine, or the quality of the wine.'"

These views of the locality, soils, and exposures of the fine _Bordeaux_ wines, such as the white, or _Sauterne_, and _vin de Grave_, and the red or clarets, such as _La Fitte_, _Chateau Margaux_, &c. will be left, for the present, on the public mind, with a firm confidence in their due impression, accompanied by the remarks that the difference between our temperatures, in our present wooded condition, and that of the south west of France, may be safely taken at eleven or twelve degrees; and that the progress of clearing lands and draining swamps will reduce that difference, in a few years, below ten degrees. Thus, St. Mary's, in Georgia, will ultimately prove about as warm, for vegetation, as Oporto in Portugal, and the productions of Europe, in any given latitude, may be found in, or, as we drain and clear, introduced into the United States, in latitudes nine or ten degrees farther south. The pride of all Europe is certainly the wines of the following places:

Champagne, | 49° N. |in Europe equal to in latitude | |39° to 40° in U. S.

Burgundy, 48 38 to 39

Old Hock | 49 39 to 40 wine. |

Bordeaux, | Claret, & | 45 35 to 36 Sauterne. |

Best brandy | of the wine | grape: Bordeaux | 45 35 to 36 and | Cogniac, |

The wine districts| of Europe | for the | finest wines | from Malaga | 36¾ to 49 27¾ to 39 or 40 and Xeres | to Epernay, | in | Champagne |

_A Friend to the National Industry._

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 5, 1819.

_Officers of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, elected January 18, 1820._

_President._ RICHARD PETERS.

_Vice Presidents._ WILLIAM TILGHMAN, GEORGE LOGAN, JAMES MEASE, ROBERT COLEMAN.

_Treasurer._ EDWARD BURD.

_Secretary._ ROBERTS VAUX.

_Assistant Secretary._ RICHARD WISTAR, Jun.

_Committee of Correspondence._ RICHARD PETERS, JAMES MEASE, ZACCHEUS COLLINS, WILLIAM TILGHMAN, JOHN VAUGHAN.

_Curators._ ISAAC C. JONES, JAMES M. BROOME, STEPHEN DUNCAN, JOSEPH R. PAXSON, REUBEN HAINES.

At the annual meeting of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, held first month 18th, 1820, it was Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of the Society be presented, and they are hereby presented to WILLIAM TILGHMAN, for his able and highly valuable Address delivered this day by the appointment of the Society; and that he be requested to furnish a copy for publication.

By order,

ROBERTS VAUX, Secretary.

An Address delivered before the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture; at its Anniversary Meeting, January 18th, 1820. By WILLIAM TILGHMAN, L. L. D.; chief justice of the State of Pennsylvania, and one of the Vice Presidents of the Society.

ADDRESS.

Gentlemen of the Agricultural Society.

When you did me the honour of requesting me to deliver this Address, you did not expect that I should enter into minute details of the process of Agriculture. Such an attempt might expose my own ignorance, but could not add to your information. The object of our Society is _the promotion of Agriculture_. Whatever conduces to this end, either immediately or even remotely, is worthy of our attention, and within the scope of our Association. In this view of the subject, I perceive so wide a range, that there is less difficulty in finding objects, than in making a proper selection. To call forth the exertions of the Society its zeal must be excited. But zeal is not to be excited, without a conviction of the importance of the cause in which we are engaged. May I be permitted then, to declare my conviction, that amidst the profusion of Societies with which the present age abounds, there is none more useful, or more dignified, than that for the _promotion of Agriculture_. Indeed, in point of _utility_, I might justly say that it _precedes_ all others. Because, even if mankind could exist without Agriculture, yet they could exist only in a savage state, and in small numbers. The great command "_increase and multiply_," could not be obeyed. There could be nothing worthy the name of art, or science, or literature. When I cast my eye on the map of Pennsylvania, and view the vast quantity of excellent land, in the rude state in which nature formed it, I am struck with astonishment at the multitudes which throng our cities, struggling with hunger, cold, and disease. Nor is my wonder confined to the lower orders of society. For I see many of liberal education, and with the means of acquiring a competency in the country, wasting their lives in disgraceful idleness, or fruitless efforts to force their way through the crowds which block up every avenue to profit or preferment. The flood of commerce which set upon our shores during five and twenty years of war and disorder in Europe, has given to our cities a premature growth. In every branch of trade and commerce there are too many competitors. Labourers are too numerous. Every mechanic art, every liberal profession is overdone. Happy would it be for the city, and happy for the country, if any efforts of this Society could inspire a respect, and a taste, for an _art_ in which no man need be ashamed to employ his faculties; for a _condition_, which after all, seems most congenial to the nature of man. It is a life, to which, at one time or other, we all aspire. For who is there, that amidst the eager pursuit of wealth or ambition, does not sometimes pause, and console himself with the fond, though often fallacious hope, of passing his latter days in the independence, the ease, the plenty, the safety, and the innocence of the country! In Pennsylvania, young men of education would have peculiar advantages in spreading themselves through the country, for it is a fact (and we are every day feeling the effects of it) that in no state in the union, is education so much confined to towns. There are many inhabitants of this city, who hold extensive tracts of land, which neither they nor their children have ever seen. This is a bad state of things. For, through ignorance of the quality, the situation, and value of their lands, these persons are sometimes a prey to speculators, and sometimes, erring on the contrary extreme, they conceive extravagant notions, and refuse to sell at a fair price. Hence Agriculture suffers--either the land remains a desert, or they are occupied by poor intruders, who knowing the instability of their title, are afraid to attempt any valuable improvement. These people, with few exceptions, lead a wretched life, and are apt to imbibe sentiments hostile to the proprietors of the soil, whom they consider as natural enemies. Could the parties but see each other, very different feelings might prevail. A little kindness and condescension on the part of the proprietor, might convert a discontented trespasser, into a useful tenant or purchaser. That this has happened in many instances, I know; which induces me to think, that were the trial made, it would happen in many more. Where large property of this kind, is in the hands of heads of families with several children, one or two of the sons might manage the estate to great advantage, by living on the spot. Agents are expensive, and often unfaithful. But one may confide in his own blood. Besides, the very circumstance of a well educated young man residing in any place, will naturally attract others of similar qualifications, to the same spot; and thus an agreeable society might be formed, and great encouragement afforded to the labouring poor of the neighbourhood. In this kind of policy, the state of New York has set us a good example. And the consequences of her conduct are obvious; a greater proportion of her lands is settled, and her unsettled lands, of equal quality, sell for a higher price than ours. Although the views of our society are not confined to the limits of the state, and our earnest wishes are for the prosperity of the whole, and every part of the union, yet it may be considered as our duty to direct our attention more particularly to Pennsylvania. We cannot be accused then of acting with ungenerous policy, if we endeavour to promote the settlement of our own lands in preference to those of our neighbours. We may, without impropriety, suggest all fair and honourable arguments, to convince the emigrants from the eastern states, and from Europe, that it is their interest to establish themselves here, rather than seek a residence in a distant country, to the west or the south. It is not my intention to enter deeply into this subject. It might be enough, to suggest to the Society, the utility of circulating good pamphlets, which have already been written, or may be written hereafter. But, one or two leading facts it may not be amiss to mention. The rich productions of the south, are not to be attained, but by men of considerable capital. The object is tempting, but when offered to the consideration of emigrants from Europe, or our sister states to the eastward, they will remember that the climate where rice, cotton, tobacco, indigo, and sugar flourish, is generally unfavourable to health; and that these articles are not to be cultivated to advantage, without slaves. They have therefore to engage in a new kind of life, opposed to the habits and principles in which they have been educated, and which, however flattering the outset, will probably terminate in an enfeebled body and discontented mind.

But the great class of emigrants, is that of people who have small capitals, and must seek their bread, by the labour of their own hands. To such persons, health is every thing. The languid eye of sickness dwells without pleasure, on the fairest prospects of nature. In vain is the fertile bottom, or the rich prairie, offered to the arm unnerved by disease. It is a notorious fact, that rich, low, level countries, are subject to fevers. They should therefore be shunned by those who are to live by their own labour. Another great inconvenience in those countries is, that they are badly supplied with water, either for drinking or machinery. If, indeed, the lands in the western region, were extremely cheap, and those in Pennsylvania at a price beyond the reach of a poor man, he must go to the west from necessity. But that is not the case,--our lands are believed to be as low priced, as those beyond the Ohio; and much more so, when there is taken into the calculation (as there ought to be) the expense of the journey. Another important circumstance in our favour, is a much better market for the sale of our productions, and the purchase of necessary articles. This is important at all times, but peculiarly in war, when the Mississippi, the only inlet or outlet of the whole western country, may be blockaded by a hostile fleet.

* * * * *

Let it not be supposed, that the interests of Agriculture and of Commerce are at variance. On the contrary, they are inseparable. Of this the Agriculturists of the United States have had good proof. No persons on earth have profited more by commerce. During the long wars of Europe, the staple productions of the middle states sold at double price, and those of the southern states were very high, both during the war and after. Those prices were produced, in part, by the influx of wealth, which occasioned an increased consumption at home, and in part by exportation to foreign countries, but principally by the latter. Both causes, however, sprang from commerce; and both, as long as commerce exists, will continue to operate in a greater or less degree. Indeed, if we could suppose a nation cut off from all intercourse with other nations, (that is, from all foreign commerce) that nation, though abounding in all the necessaries of life, would be barbarous, selfish, illiteral, and ignorant. Neither let us give way to the idea, that either agriculture, or commerce, are incompatible with domestic manufactures. Unwise laws, may injure either one or the other, by unjust preferences; but under proper regulations, they will aid, and invigorate each other. This is not the place for entering into a disquisition of the degree of encouragement which should be afforded by _law_, to manufactures. That important subject is before the national legislature, where it will no doubt, receive an impartial and mature consideration. But thus much may be said, with certainty; that it is the _duty_, as well as the _interest_, of all of us, to use _our own_, in preference to _foreign_ manufactures, where they can be furnished on reasonable terms. It cannot be denied, that manufactures afford a sure market, for the productions of the neighbouring country; and as they are multiplied, in the same ratio, are the markets increased. And there is a peculiar advantage in markets of this kind, at a distance from navigable waters; that, the consumption being at home, the expense of carriage is saved. But, there is a kind of manufacture, _domestic in the strictest sense_, the benefit of which is inestimable, because while it adds to the _stock_ of the family, it protects their _morals_.--I allude to spinning, weaving, and such things as are done by the hands of the husband, the wife, or the children, without leaving their home. It guards them against _idleness_, that child of folly, and parent of vice, and is often clear gain, as it occupies those hours which would have been passed in inaction. I am afraid, that in this kind of industry, we have rather degenerated. A very respectable gentleman, a member of the Society of Friends, informed me, that about the year 1764, he attended a meeting, in Chester county, near the borders of Maryland, and that most of his society in that neighbourhood, were clothed _completely_ and _handsomely_ in dress of their own manufacture. Were he to visit that meeting now, I doubt whether he would see his friends in the same kind of apparel. Yet meritorious examples are not wanting, even now, and I hope I shall be excused for mentioning one lately communicated to me. In the western part of Pennsylvania, on this side of the Alleghany river, lives a man, who, ten or twelve years ago, seated himself on a tract of land, to which he had no title, in the humble character of a _squatter_.[11] This man has converted a wilderness into a fine farm; and, with the assistance of an industrious wife, brought up a large family of children. He raises on his farm all the materials for clothing the family; and whatever they wear, of linen or woollen texture, excellent in their kinds, is spun, woven, and manufactured in the house. They also make their own sugar, from the maple; and their own leather; and _purchase_ (or rather _barter_ for) nothing but iron, and salt. Their farming utensils are chiefly homemade.--But what is more commendable than all (and perhaps the cause of all) _very little whiskey or ardent spirits is drunk_ by any of them. To finish the picture, I have to add, that the proprietor of the land, with views, no less _politic_ than _liberal_, has confirmed these good people in their title, on moderate terms--so that this little story contains a moral, from which, both _settlers_, and _proprietors_, may profit.

[11] A term in use, in New York and Pennsylvania, to denote a man who seats himself on land to which he has no title.