IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) // 4 ^ *<^^^. & &' ^ -v The radical policy hitherto carried out by every suc- cessive government, and the drifting of our ship of state, (cheered on in two great languages) into the troubled waters of a democracy, that already has engulfed the honor and pros- perity of an entire continent, render it impossible for us to offer to European emigration, a choice of other principles than those recognised throughout the civilized world, as American. p The admirers of law, order and authority, seek in vain, for a guarantee, in our constitution, were the democratic ele- ment alone is predominent. By those who consider equality, even in degradation and poverty, with the steel-knuckles, and ballot-box, to be the " Summum Bonum" of human felicity — we are only re- garded as the Plagiarists of our more dashing neighbours — who at least possess the courage of their opinions, that we endeavour to imitate without daring to profess. "We offered to capitalists, and conservatives, no advantage of stability, or steadiness — either in our political institutions, or in the tenure of our real estate — and we could never show that our lands could be brought to represent any real value even that of a British percentage upon the capital in vested! l-> r " II Feeling the inferiority of our agricultural resaonrces, we have had recourse to the artificial pressure of Railway and Manufacturing speculations, — and land jobbings, and agen- cies, of every description — whilst our liabilities have been increasing, and our credit in proportion deminishing, until we find ourselves altogether dependant upon the interest, or caprice, of the Financial Princes, upon the Royal Ex- change. At the same time, our ties with the Great Mother Coun- try have so far become weakened, that our very existance is as coolly and ignorantly discussed, by a Professor of Oxford, as our vital agricultural prospects, have been, by his Toronto colleague. ,-.!i/ if; Expending considerable sums in attraciing the poor and hard working emigrant to our shores, with the only apparent result, of patronizing the Grand Trunk, and Great Western Bailways, and providing a Yankee population, for the Far "West — ^we expect to arrive at the Millenium, should we suc- ceed in curbing the zeal of American Agents, and Railway Runners — ^and accepting, with as much eagerness, as plati- tude, the **Free Institutions " of our blustering neighbours. 5 onrces, we ihvay and and agen- ties have ninishing, e interest, loyal Ex- ler Coun- :i8tance ia >f Oxford, 8 Toronto culations our great a^bundant -depends 3 equal, if his Con- probleni, ble, hard h a very ut heart, tiship of ose, who ange for )oor and ipparent WT'estern the Far we Buc- Railway IS plati- ibours. Not content with such results, we place an almost Insur- montable obstacle, to the introduction of capital, and to the attraction of a higher class of emigrants, by rendering the acquisition of an extensive estate, practically impossible. r:> The limitation to the sale of Crown Lauds, of 200 acres to each individual, is the fruit of our levelling system. It was ostensibly carried out, under the pretext of preventing Land jobbing, which, in many parts of Canada, is now as florishing as ever. ' '* ^"^ Hud such been the real object in view, it might' have been accomplished, by obliging an entail. — And tlnifi end- eavouring to conserve every element of our mbnarcbial institutions, instead of pandering, to the vilest instintits of unbridled mobocracy. • > ^ '') ti ,-rnn oi a^nmJS ti We might thus have attracted to our lands, men of wealth, and position in Europe, desirous of establishing the foundation of vl Family in our midst. .uoiMf-jijaili io vjoii ;^r»> Man; "Xobleraen, and Gentlemen in Great Brif^Hrf,^ and on the Conti :ent of Europe, would seize with cHgernOAS,^ fipatt the possibility of establishing, the Younger Branches Qfthfei? families, otherwise, than amongst overcrowded profesMbri?^ and employments, and we could easely afford thehi- facilities for occupying our waste Lands, and paying the taxcfs iftf^' posed upon them, when no longer belonging to the' Ci^cStvh.' " Numbers of our own wealthy and spirited niercharityj^^ would prefer expending upon estates, the fort ittfe^i'^^d s oil J ^nisirjoiJxjq io 'jhsaoT. If* A man they say, must march against the Forestf'^ffKivilS upon his shoulder, and he alone, can make itrfS(ib\W~~^^^^'^^ V The result of such a system, is the willful destruction of our valuable and magnificent Forests. — Poverty in the pi^-i sent, disorder — disaster — and bankrupkcy, in the pTospect.- 6 I ' A constitutional monarchy, only in name, an encroach- ing, levelling, and poverty stricken Democracy, in reality — who reason without examining, the first principles of politi- cal economy, the relative position of capital, and labour, and the absolute necessity of their union, in order to develop our immense latent wealth, and create anything worthy of the attention, of a really valuable portion, of the European population. In this wealthy and highly intelligent commercial city — In all Lower Canada — I do not believe there exists a single educated intelligent man, who believes in the possibility of a Farm being productive — or in the probability, of capital so employed, giving any reasonable return. If such is correct. If such opinions are prevalent. As long as land can not pay, both capital, and labour. So long, you will in vain employ ministers to colonise, and Emigration Agents, and Committees, to attract a po- pulation, for the most part of transit, through a country where the rising generation, have in turn become immigrants, being unable to strike root, even on their native soil. If such a position is the normal one, natural, and ad- herent to the country, the fate of Lower Canada is decided. Population is power, and must eventually be represen- ted. '. O^ 1 *;i.. ..li.iA; _..:,d; ..-_._;... ..Vf.,, .. If Lower Canada proposes to remain stationary for ten years — or even for half of that period, Her Sun will inevitably rise in the West. 7 ii-''^ j.h : :i vt v^a ,. .v.^wu < .j\.-.\...w U i., . . « . ... .... I-™*,.--/ i..»../..i?: •.\ -.*>. "•,*,' i ,..„,^.,„. . . ;,;!.. .^.■. ..Vr' ..\'> •■■A^:\ /in !> .,/^ 'J^^.... .. ,!*.-,/■.<» -ii, >V'' |f V 'X-'.M .v^^-y.l:y.. il h.Sc-.'l'w CHAPTER II. THE WEALTH OF HEAT. . i I.. A combination of unfortunate circumstances have ever tended to drag down this country to a standard far beneath its natural position. ' The original system of French Colonisation was alto- gether military, and for the last century, emigration has been drawn from climates in no way resembling our own. : ..i ;...•• ,,:j .,,■ . ;- .,, >.7, ,..;/■, :f-H*:.Vi^r(ir}[ (»;.,<:• Our farmers and agricultural labourers have emigrated from more northern latitudes. y rj '.» The Norwegian, Scotchman, and Northern Englishman, may feel at home during our winters, but no class of Emi- grants arriving in the St. Lawrence, are prepared for the Aea< of our summers, and none know how to profit by the wonderful wealth of that heat, which appears to our popula- tions only as an inconvenience, and to be appologised for. Had we endeavored to obtain even a limited emigra- tion, accustomed to the broiling summers, and rigorous winters of the slopes of the Jura, the Alps, Pyrenees, or Appenines, or to many similar climates from Hungary, to Crimea, we should long since have discovered, that our lands had other resources, and other riches, than could ever be extracted from them, by the " nee plus ultra "of our agricultural immagination, a Scotch farmer. Take away from France, her wine, oil, and silk, and immagine what would remain of her thirty five millions of I >,' t population, of her splcMulid Army, of her Imperial Govern- ment. As lonc^ as Canada does not produce wine, oil, silk, and hemp ill aUoiidaiice, ahe may be considered in comparitively the same wretched position, of an immaginary France, re- duced to the miserable resources of ordinary liold crops. In order that the importance of the comparison may be understood, I must explain, with the authority of Count Do Gasperin, the value to France of the productions I advo- cate. ; And as I shall on many occasions make use of this authority, I may here explain, that it is looked upon, as the liest Europe can aftbrd, although the Count for many years ,wa3 minister of Agriculture. . " " ' " '^«v ,j^,.,. Thus in the 4th vol. of his "Cours d'Agriculture '* pages 697 and 698 1 find : . ,>^ The Mulberry accompanies the vine, to its last limit *" in altitude, and we do not doubt, that also in latitude, this " wiU be found the limit of its useful cultivation. It would " be difficult to exagerate the advantages Europe obtained " by the adoption of this industry. Three hundred and " tw;eiye millions of francs, is what the mulberry produces " to France, which is one third of the production of its "j. vineyards." Thus I find that these productions amount to >'' 4 - - 934 millions ^^'^ ■■" ^i - - 812 do '^ ^'i^^' ^'^^' A^-iJ "h^^A't Making a total of 1248 millions of francs or of 250 millions of dollars, »,Y,, l^^tpthe production of oil, lean only speak here, of that ; w])j,ch, is furnished by the "Wallnut, and which is at Jeset q^jial in quality to that of the Olive. s , The French have divided their "Wallnuts into seven 1^3^ , , lat Noyer a coque tendre. 2nd Noyer tardif. ata .:M ?i^«y^^ Aei^uge ou k gros fruits. ^; ^^^ 4th Noyer k bijoux. , u.. '''«>Jk«Ut«ni91W«M« al Govorn- , silk, and iparitively •Vance, re- crops. )n may be Count Do us I advo- ise of this on, as the auy years last limit tude, this It would obtained Ired and produces ion of its IS or of here, of ich is at seven ■ 5th Noyer a trait dur on Noyernoir. • >rihu}jit 6th Noyer a grappos, ou de Canada. /.!•>. m 7th Noyer La cerise. ' ' .' i -i /, and in short the "Noyer coramun." .. .; ..: « The fifth, and sixth, are originaries of North America, and known in this country, as the black wallnut, and the butternut. The second, only flowers in June, and would be the species, suitable for this climate, and to graft upon the Canadian varieties. ='-"'^^^=*'^'^'^ ^' -'">'^ :^'n. .rm^,,.,i., Before the empire of Napoleon the 1st, many wallnnts incapable of producing oil, were grown in France. But that great reformer, that regenerator of France, ordered men who understood the grafting of that tree, to be sent all over the country, and in two or three years, every Barren Wallnut in France, changed its nature, and became an abon- dant source of revenue. In the " Vaucluse ** especially, (which was covered with the black wuUnut, and the butter- nut). This measure changed the face of the country, which can easily be immagined when it is considered, that an average tree, will produce 100 francs, or ^20 worth of oil every year, and without labour. De Gasperin calls it ^^ La- bour of nature." Nothing could be more easily accomplished in Canada. In the Eastern section we have thousands of butternut, in the Western as many black wallnut. What a change a few grafters would make, and how easily accomplished. I again introduce the Count De Gasperln's " Cours d' Agri- culture" vol. 4th, pages 763 and 754. -Jfoh V> BftAfrrffyf mo "The same region of mountains in the center of our " temperate region, that obtains its bread all prepared from " the chessnut, receives also its oil from another tree. The " wallnut, which furnishes nearly half the oil that is consumed " in France, more than three times the quantity that is ob- " tained from the Olive, and three fourths of that produced " by Oleogenous grains. . -— — i-v^a i^a^: " But no more wallnuts are planted, whilst numbers are 10 (( m annually rooted ont. It will finish by altogether disappea- " ring from all lands susceptible of other cultivation. " What are the causes of destruction to this tine tree, " the veritable monarch of our vegetation ? " As v^ith the Olive, and the chessnut, it arrives from " the decay of famili/ feeling, from the rapidity of the trans- " mission of the soil, passing from hand to hand, that renders " transient all enterprises formerly belonging to many gene- " rations. "It is from the little durabilaty of positions, that makes " the father foresee, for his children, another destiny than *' his own. " It is from the haste to enjoy, and from repugnance " to enterprises of long term, that prevents the new genera- " tions from undertaking any labour, the fruits of which " they .nay be themselves unable to enjoy. " The great value of the wood has to us a terriptation, " we know not how to resist. As twenty wallnut on an " acre of land represents a value of 3000 francs often supe- ** rior to that of the soil. » *....--.. ^ - ^ -r •' n ipjjjg avidity, deprives our valleys of that which re- " quires no labour to produce, and substitutes the labour of " man, to that of nature. *' It is only in twenty years, the wallnut gives fair ^ro- " duce, and in sixty, the maximun of its crops. " What an enormous period for us, who are only pas- sengers upon that land, where our ancestors seemed, like their trees, to have taken root." Such, to France, are the effects of the loss of entail. Such the consequences of the division and destruction of property. The action of the Eevolution was hastened by Land companies or " Black Bands," as they were there stigma- tised, who purchased properties in block, stripped them of everything valuable, and disposed of them in detail, when impoverished and distroyed. A moral may for us be drawn, from these effects of one, of the " Four Revolutions." 11 ' disappea- ion. !S fine tree, rives from the trans- lat renders lany gene- bat makes Btiuy than pugnance iv genera- of which iiptation, lut on an ten supe- 'hich re- ibour of fair ^ro- nly pas- ed, like f entail, ction of »y Land stigma- lem of , when of one, CHAPTER III. AN INSTITUTION. In the sessional papers of 1860 No. 22 may be found a correspondance of mine, laid before Parliament, soliciting assistance for the introduction of wine and silk culture into Canada. Professor Hinks was the authority appealed to, by the late government, who upon his decision, politely informed me that I should obtain every assistance, when I could de- monstrate in a practical manner, the correctness of my views. The Honorable Mr. Gait was I beleive the only mem- ber of the late administration, who took any interest in the matter, which was evidently refered to Professor Hinks, to be Pooh-poohed. ..^ »,. ,u ,. , <.'r r-.i-- u l-.jit ysijb '^ It will be easily understood, with what ability he was chosen for the business. ^ , ^ ,^,^„,, pw^,.,o« In Europe, nearly all public administrations of every description, have their " Bullies "either Phisical or " Moral " — whose duty consists in effectually silencing intruders, who presume to disturb the ordinary vocations, and routine of the establishment. The system carried out is the same from institutions of the highest, to those, of the lowest repute. The " modus operandi " differs of course essentially, according to the dignity of the establishment, and the more or less "exorbitant pretentions " of the intruder. ' In some cases, your mouth is closed, In others, your eyes, ^ * Tf i!' 13 It all depends npon the nature of the establishment, and the capacity of the Bully — and a good deal as to whether the administration retain a suitable person "ad hoc" or is obliged to employ for the occasion, an outsider, in which case the operation is performed, less zealously, and more politely, than when the Professional reputation of the ope- rator is at stake. The late administration being unprovided, were obliged to have recourse to Profesjor Hinks, who, I must confess, extinguished myself, and my pretentions, most politely, but also most effectually. I have not been able to appreciate fully the delicacy of his proceeding, before having lately undergone a similar operation, under the hands of a Professional Practitioner. The learned and accomplished Professor politely bowed me out, with the blandest expressions of consideration, for my practical experience, and of genuine and bewitching in- terest in my general welfare. The other, acted more energetically. He simply knoc- ked me over the Bannister, and put his head out the window to call me names, when running away. It is true, this had been the second time I had been caught upon the premises. I must, under those circumstances, apologise to the Professor for raking up " by gones " and republishing his amiable correspon dance, in the hope of being able to con- fute, not his arguments, but his decisions — which for'want of better, have been lately held up as authority, by M. Evan- turel. „ i-:-}\] ..-^'luJino ')qri:!i U}\rr'0' ■■-■■ *■" '■'■':iil^ iiio.U:di L..-.: '. oi I'Oj;i(do gyvIoBmyiU jJ:yfiO!i; ,eTDo ji/^Ji oiiu.'i :.. . 'i.:..o='i;^ S U^J ^.,J',; tj.:» •f" .j^^.w'f.■■■'■■■«^i'*■•*" .1 1111 . ■ f " "i" ' i " """ifniiiHi . 13 shment, and to whether hoc" or is ^) in which i and wore 5f the ope- ere obliged i8l confess, olitely, but delicacy of a similar iitioner. ely bowed ration, for tching in- ply knoc- te window this had premises, le to the 'hing his ' to con- rjwant of !• £van- CHAPTER IV. A PROFESSOR. •> • **■ ^'T'"- '". * ' \^ 'T '■', • * ■ I ' , i "^1 u J ■■.;■'■ ■:t-W'''rilr' aJI • .■,-;, t^\- oi b':*i;i(';»T> • ' '■■■'.•/.' ,^j^■.•f :!<»>! •'.l- ■■,''. hi ;•?? ■lol'^.i \ihs otef ^dT Bureau of Agriculture, -.(!,» adJ rloiv/ fttro. ofsx ■ .;;.-» pi rf.7-^v T,' Quebec ^'T^r^ ifinrtoisiq v/d _, University College, ^l . lodir. oriT Toronto, September the '2^tk, iSal).'- To William Hutton, Esquire, Secretary, )s' ' -1 --r My deak Sir, ... . rt , I have carefully considered Mr. Pe Courtenay's paper respecting wine culture in Canada. «« .^ t He evidently understands the subject practically and has referred also to good authorities. I must say however that I doubt the Growth of Maize being any test of a climate suit- ing the vine, and although further experiments may bed© sirable, I encline to the opinion that the true vine, (vitis vinifera) does not come to perfection without glass in this climate, and that our chance of successful grupo culture, lies in choosing good varieties derived from our native species. The Ohio wine cultivators, in what would seem a more favourable climate than ours, thought themselves obliged to adopt this plan — (I am not aware of the extent of their ex- perimental trials, but they were experienced German Cul- tivators, and would no doubt have employed the European |1 Ilif^ It Grape if possible — and I should recommend at least careful trial before any quantity of European plants is procured. It is quite possible that the hardier kinds derived from American stocks might answer and yield good wine when the European species would fail. M. De Courtenay asks Government encouragement for his enterprize, but he seeks this only in case of success, and undertakes the risk himself. The doubts I venture to suggest, do not tlierefore ma- terially affect the case, they may deserve his attention if his experience has been hitherto European, but it he can succeed in introducing wine as an additional branch of Canadian In- dustry, I ahouuld think lie would be a public benefactor — and I see no inipossibilitv of its being done with American vines though I fear tlie letigth of our winters not leaving sufficient time for European Grapes to come to perfection. I believe that Ohio vine yards already produce a good article and are improving from year to 3'ear. Believe me to be Dear Sir, • Very faithfully Yours, ' i ' WILLlAxM HINKS. n- 'M J v/1 'n(,;,!li c' ■|(> : lij'fi ,'i'ii, i'r„ .)),!..l (I'.f! I if '(■; m'I ■,. ./ In this extraordinary letter, after "the complements of the season" Professor Iliuks doubts "the Growth of Maize being a test of a climate suiting the wine." I am prepared to prove that the denomination of " sub-Region of Maize " is given in Europe, to the Southern portion of the wine region. If therefore, the Grape is cultivated with success in that Northern portion of the wine Region, so distinguished, from the fact, of Indian Corn being unable to mature its grain — a Priori — such cultivation must be successful within the Southern portion of that Wine Region, to which we belong, — and which is distinguished by the fact that Indian Corn does come to maturity. , ^,,,,),. j, < ,n .^j ,m;<- ,-\ .-i.fif.wni^. ■ I wmmmmm least careful procured, erived from wine when agement for "ccess, and (^I'efore ma- ition if his 'J»ii succeed tuadian In- 'ncfactor— American ot leaving rfection. ce a good IKS. ;■■.'!, oients of )f Maize )repared aize " is region. I in that d, from frain — m the )elong, m 15 ' ' Arthur Young is the first who endeavored to determine, in a precise manner, the limits of agricultural climates. In his voyage tlirough France (when he foresaw and foretold the destructioji of an ancient monarchy) he estahlish- ed for that country, four distinct Agricultural Regions. The first Eegion was the North — or Cereal llegion, where neither the vine or Indian Corn could be cultivated. In the next one towards the south, wine was produced but Maize could not ripen its grain. '■ m The third division was composed of both Wine, and Maize. ,,. , i , , i ■, ....?,;.. ,.,, ^ .,..,,. ,•!..,.. ■ The fourth that of the Olive. De Gasperin vol. the 2nd Page 318, declares : — ,. , ,, r ..„(,;, ., .. \ " This attempt of Arthur Young has never been sur- " passed, being founded upon the observation of facts it (( is generally true. •VUii -il'l' 7 i)'t[' ) .i,f ji f yv'>;)'Kr i (( u (( But sheltered places, altitudes, and many other cir- " cumstances, transforai the straight lines, traced by this *' author, into very sinnuous ones." Again in the same vol. Page 322, he says :— " In the southern division of the Wine Region, the " Vine ripens on the plains, and without shelters. In the Northern portion the slopes of hills, more or less inelined to the south, are chosen, which in point of fact, transport " these positions to a more southern climate, often equal to '' many degrees. " In such cases the vine is not the general culture of " the country. It becomes the speciality of certain ex- " positions, that are not of the same climate as the suiround- " ing country. ■ ^- i'-'^i-''^-'- ^ ■^- '■•'n^^^' ^'^?f ,mi.)J :;:.rij n '■ " In oui' opinion therefore, the Region of the vine " should be traced on that line, where this shrub can ripen "without shelter, which would bring it to that limit, where " it is cultivated in common with Maize. We shall there- " fore define the sub-region of Maize, believing that the " Northern Portion where it does not arrive at maturity is ii i! 'I ' ' li i ^1 J 16 " only a climate of transitio.i for the vine, and might well be *' classed in the Cereal Region. *' Having made this reserve, we shall confine ourselves " altogether to indicating the snb-region of Maize." Mr. Ilinks next opines that " The trne vine (vitis vini- fera) does not come to perfection in this climate without the aid of tirlass.'' He will perceive by my letters to the Honorable Mr. S^cotte, that — it he means by the true vine — the Euiopean vine, — I have cultivated it, in the open air, with.out difficulty, and! presume I shall be permitted, to place that fact against his opinion. My version of "vitis vinifera " differs altogether from that of the learned Professor. Instead of " True Vine," I consider the proper translation should be — wine producing vine or " cultivated vine " — and Messrs. Joigneau & Moreau, the celebrated French chemists and botannists, translate " vitis vinifera" by "vigne cultivee." As to the marked distinction, he wishes to establish between his " true vine" and the " native species." In dif- fering with him altogether, I beg leave to refer to Messr*. Joigneau & Moreau as my authority. Vol. 2nd, Page 649. " The vine is a genus of the Family of Ampelidees or " Vitacees. That comprises forty five species, originaries of " Asia, and North America." , f Mr. Ilinks makes three other statements of equal value in this his first letter. 1st That Ohio seems to him a more favorable climate for hi-iT> -> the vine. -. r . -,, ,,,-;k,h. 3rd He fears the lenght of our Winters, not leaving suffi- iiR !0&i cient time for European Grape to come to perfection. The first, and third, may be classed, and answered toge- ther, the answer to the second, will be found in my letters to the Honorable M. Sicotte. , ,. , _, i^ w t i vmii a p ija d mio-ht welj be >nfine ourselves laizo." ^■iiie (vitis vini- imate without tlonorable Mr. fhe European •out difficulty, at /at'^ against ogether from frue Vine," I ue producing au & Moreau, «ts, translate to establish es." In dif. sr to Messrs. > Page 649. iipelidees or "ginaries of equal value climate for > are " ex- ■ving suffi. perfection, 'ered toge- 7 letters to 17 I may however remark, that ordinary labourers are generally more useful in their own climate, and are very rarely " experienced cultivators " elsewhere. :.., i- Had Ohio obtained the assistance of able, and scientific "Wine Growers, from Europe, they would not have been groping for thirty five years, after (in my opinion) unsatis- factary results. As to the value of the Ohio climate in comparison with the lenght of our Winters, I assert, that the best authorities in Europe, consider^that no remarkable Wine is grown south of the 40th parralle. Bordeaux, which lies in the 45th degree, produces the most Southern Aromatic Wines — and all other valuable Wines, arc yet further North. As for Sherry, and Port, they are not Aromatic Wines, but are manufactured with Brandy, and other ingredients* and for the English market alone. "'; "'"-^"" • lo 'an / Monsieur de Gasperin's estimate of a Wine climate, must naturally carry with it more conviction, than any argu- ments I can oft'er. ^ *• In considering many pages of statistics, taken from the delegates of Wine Associations, we remark in his " Cours d' Agriculture" Vol. 4th, page 639, "this same operation " made on a series of years from 1828 to our day, gives us " the same result. " Thus we can conclude, that the climates most favou- " rable to the vine, are those, where the duration of the " season of vegetation is the shortest, and where during such " season, the total heat is the most elevated. " Where the difierence, between the solar heat, and "the minimum heat, is the greatest, and where conse- quently vegetation proceeds by shocks, and not by a uniform ^^ march." '*'-- r'-iv/ui yV lijo m jn-^jwii 'i^drmm bH: fn?,'- This description of our own climate, by so undoubted an authority as Monsieur deGaaperin, will convince many, that it has been often sadly callumniated, by " the Learned of c< the Land. " i*^: ,u.,:.iii,.,^,iyi:f,^l ^{j- 18 1. 1 ■,H As a fbrther exemple of the active part M. Hincks has taken in this unworthy, and impolitic hue and cry — I beg leave to extract a paragraph from his letters on the Silk question. In order to understand the fallacy of such doctrines, it must be born in mind, that as the Silk worm in Europe, is always reared by means of artificial heat, which is provided with greater facility that an artificial cool temperature — the practical result has been, that heaty and not cold, furnishes the limit to that industry. — The proof of which we may discover in the fact, that in Malta the production of Silk has been a miserable failure, whilst the last Great Exhibition, has ishown Sweeden to excel in this lucrative industry. Yet Mr. Hinks declares " that he fears our harsh cli- " mate would prevent success in this branch of Industry. " Before reproducing the second letter of the learned gentleman, upon Vine culture, I desire to answer his fears that European Vines should not ripen, within the short sea- son of our summer vegetation. In doing so I must again refer to my letters addressed to the Honorable Mr. Sicotte, where I endeavour to explain some divisions of the European Grape, and shew, that many of them require less heat than we can afiord them. ^^ However, both here, and in Europe, the greatest care must be taken in planting vines, transported from another district, to preserve to them as much as possible, not only tMd fuU dxjgree of heat, requisite for the maturity of each Yftriety, but also the soil, and aspect, to which they have be^n accustomed. Even then, and under every possible precaution, you will never obtain exactly the same flavour, whieh alwayi difiers materially in the same parish, with the same assortment of vines, in the same climate, aspect, and BolL I consider ii yerfecily impossiole for the delicate descrip- tions of either European or native vine, to succeed upon the clay Boils of Cincinnati. "<<■■ rnxmrn ^. Hincks hag nd cry— I beg 8 on the Silk doctrines, it in Europe, is ^ is provided )erature— the ^ furnishes ich We may a of Silk has Exhibition, iustrj. Jr harsh cli- fndustry. " •he learned r his fears short sea- addressed to explain that many atest care » another not only ^ of each (ley have possible flavour, <^ith the Bct, and iescrip- >on the 19 Messrs. Joigneau & Moreaa declare in their valuable work vol. the 2nd, page 651, that " If you take choice vines '' from light soils, and plant them in clay, you will obtain ft " something, very much approaching to a mixture of half " water, half vinegar." The same authors, in the same page declare that " The vine planted in clay, will only produce ft " great deal of acid, and very little sugar," and this will account for the quantities of sugar mixed with the vinea of Ohio, and which in my opinion, is no remedy to the evil^ and is after all, but an American invention, and institution^ I shall now return to Mr. Hinks, and we shall hear him, discourse the "R3peated and varied experience," thai proves' " that no European grape can come to perfection in thia ; " country. "] •^-VJ^K ...i -Vnf^ ^iif-II :rxr r-Y fjzq hhv:>n ^:!KiXs '■^' u- To William Hutton, Esq., Bureau oi Agriculture, Quebec. \ii i- i. Oili aoqr/ Qi^ j<,-J,P-jjJ. Univbrsitt Collbgb, ^ -^ - -f-f. ffT 1 o-i^r ToroniOf October the Vh, 1B5& -^ JMy dear Oir, sv.-.ti, h/^.-? o^fnrfl rtpn,rt - .11 20 encouragement ; I only desire that M. de Courtenay should not through our confidence, run into expenditure in procu- ring European vines, at the great risk of disappointment. I would try some of the European with short pruning, I would also try the principal American varieties and in- crease most of the stock, of the kind which answeis best, and in this way little time need be lost. It would be well worth while to make immediately a plantation of the Clinton vine, as it may be accounted that it will succeed certain and yield a good wine. i. If Catawba and Isabella and other fine American varie- ties succeed, they may deserve preference on further plan- ting, and if European varieties succeed, they may be better Btill, but of them I can but help entertaining great doubts. I will endeavour at a suitable season, if I live, to visit Mr, Parker's vineyard. Believe me to be, • ' 'I • i Dear Sir, very truly yours, 1 V . i- WILLIAM IIINKS. " P, S. — M. De Courtenay endeavours to prove that our " climate must be favourable for vine." " Repeated and varied experience has decided that a " true, or European Grape will not come to perfection in the ** open air, in this country, and even in the fine climate of " Southern Ohio the wine makers are obliged to rely on va- ** rieties obtained from natives vines — as the Catawba and " Isabella — they cannot cultivate the varieties estimed in Eu- " rope." Mr. Hinks commences by congratulating himself that Mr. Parker agrees with him. IIow far he does so in estinguishing may be judged from the following extract. . , ,,. . :!i . ! ' ' Clair House, CooKSViLLB, September 3rd, 1859, " The resources of Canada can never be developped " unless such men as M, De Courtenay meet with every en- 1^ I'H'II" 21 Gnay should ''G ill procu- iutmont. >rt pruning, ies and in- sweis best, mediately a )unted that ican varie- ther plan- ' be better • tloubts. e, to visit HINKS. ' that our ^ that a 311 in the mate of y on va- ^ba and i in Eu- Blf that d from 859. lopped ry eu- " couragjenient. His engagement is very fair, but difReult, " Canada covered with vines, would be very different from " what Canada now is, and how many men have had grants " of land on which nothing has been done,but felling timber, "and planting potatoes." As far as I can understand, Mr. Parker has cultivated only sweet water, or eating grapes. If he obtained a good vigneron from the center of the vine region in Europe, and made additions to his plants, by obtaining some, containing an access of tanning, and from a more Northern climate, I am persuaded he would succeed as he well deserves. I can discover no argument whatever in his letter de- monstrating, that any proper means have ever, on this Con- tinent been adopted, for the introduction of valuable or other European Grapes. The only part of the second and last letter of Mr. Hinks that remains unanswered— or is at all worthy of notice — is his recommendation as to close pruning — but he does not say — for he does not know — how such a thing could be carried out. The word close pruning, is my own, and I have never been desired to explain my meaning. Mr. Hinks re- peated it, as flippantly as if " his tongue had been, by silver six pence split. ' J ' t If 1 J — ' 'f • "'■ f *■ "i i - . ^ ' .li} \ I 3 ''■'•■' i ■r '=->a:.«- ■ft 'r- and prune accordingly, and find I have by no means over > estimated the vigour of my plants. In Cincinnati, they im- mitate the feeble vigour of the extreem Northern limit, and * plant at two or three feet distances, pruning of course ac- - cordingly, by my estimate of their climate, I should judge eight yards at least as the distance to be preserved. ,,*,,.,, *" 23 Imust confess that I feel myself incapable of inventing anything, and so far differ from what is vauntinffly termed. " The live Yankee ** that I am penetrated with the con- viction, that ultimate success can only attend those, whd consent humbly and respectfully, to follow in the paths of their betters. Had American experiments on Politics, and Vine cul- ture, proved successful, the knowled^^e procured by two thousand years of European civilization, must have been transmitted to us in vain. -' As I have previously remarked, the great art of wiiie culture consists in planting, and pruning, which can only bo acquired by considerable practical experience. ' • Independant of latitude, altitude, or the inclination of the land, the nature of the vine itself, must be taken into the most careful consideration. Certain varieties have a propensity to rise before hea- ring abondant fruit, and are generally to be found amongst the wild grapes of all countries. The " Vignes de treilles" of France, and the " Pergulanes " of Italy. It is only from their horizontal branches, or guirlands, that you can hope to obtain an abondant fructification. The vigour of their vegetation, if allowed to run wild, will expend itself ia wood branches, and leaves. If kept low, and short, the same eflects will be produced. "-^-^'^^^^^^ '^''' *=^'"^^^";; '«» -'^^ «^ ^- Monsieur De Gaspcrin vol. 4th, page 667 exemplifies this doctrine in an interesting manner. " We made an ex- " periment upon a vine of Corinth, brought home from the " expedition of Morea in 1828. '' ";^ . ;j:i.:.r: ^ ).. x-j. u; i^ : "Kept low during fourteen years, it produced biily a " very small quantity of fruit, used only as samples. Having " then been allowed to climb upon a neighbouring tree, it " covered itself with fruit, and gave that year a quantity suf- ** £cient to make a Hectolitre (25 gallons) of wine." ^ a 1 ) m ifii, fiif 24 1 presume many persons in this country have remarked even amongst the wild vini'S, that somo,prcior to climb to the summits of the highest trees, whilst others content them- selves with spreading over brush wood. The same thing exists in Europe and in a greater de- gree, with the cultivated vines, (vitis vinitera) whose natural propensities have become lixcd habits, from many centuries of judicious prutiing. Those varieties therefore, that have long been preserved Imo, would wear themselves out immediately, and soon cease to be productive if allowed to ri^e, or if the mode of pru- ning; was materially altered. ... All varieties if abandoned to themselves, produce an innumerable quantity of branches, and become wild within three years. As the vigour of the vine varies according to the cli- mate, and increases as it approaches the south, so (in the same proportion) does the distance between plants extend itself. The increasing evaporation of the vino as it proceeds south, makes it also absolutely necessary to allow a greater cube of earth, so that its roots may extend themselves and absorbe the degree of moisture required for its vegetation. r:,p Another reason may be discovered from the recognised fact " that the closer the plants, the sooner the fruit arrives at maturity." The action so produced, is because the stronger the vines, the later they blossom, and therefore they have time to de- velop more branches, and leaves, than are necessary. i)£H^rAu isolated plant, blossoms, and ripens, long after those that are crowded together, and have therefore less vigour. ,\v,4i The first ripe grapes, are never to be found on the borders of a vineyard, and old vines planted on poor soil, &V.Q considerably in advance of those, younger, and better manured. 26 e remarked iiiib to tlie iteiit thcm- greater de- 2V'd) whose frotu many 1 preserved soon cease >ile ofpru- roclnce an I'ild wiihiu These become, very important considerations in the ex- treem Northern Limit of the Vine Region, — where the maturity is uncertain — and some days gained may be of great advantage in obtaining drinkable Wines — for although, you can obtain an eaqual quantity of Wine, by encreasing the distance between the plants, yet the contrary practice in such climates is found more advantageous, in order to im- provethe quality. It need not either be nessessary to proceed to the ex- trem northern limit of the Vine Region, in order to ap- preciate the advantages a few days of earlier maturity may produce — to obtain which, they have been obliged, even in Burgundy, to decrease the distance between the plants, not- withstanding, their climate lies in the center of the Vino Region — " the Sub Region of Maize." to the cli- 80 (in the II ts extend '.I - : / . t proceeds ^ a greater selves and etation. ecogiiised lit arrives the vines, me to de- fter those vigour. i on the poor soil, ad better CHAPTER VI. ■I .' (';• UN MINISTRE llTRANGER A L' AGRICULTURE. ^••r-!,.: In the good old times of real Burgundy, the small Finot varieties of Grape, were principally used, only intermingled with some choice varieties of White Grape. ' ''^^ ^^ ' ■ Avidity of increasing produce, introduced an inferior, though more abondant Grape, and the "Gamais" was brought from a latitude some degrees further South. So that, u^/,'1. 26 from these circumstances, and from over manuring, those Vine yards that previously ripened their fruit in Se[itember, were retarded in their maturity until the end of October, without even then, always obtaining a well conditioned crop. Some old Vineyards remain exceptions to this misrule —and though the quantity produced is much below the pre- sent standard, yet the prices they obtain are really fabulous. As far back as January 1805 there exists an ordcnance directed against such encroachments, by Philippe the Ilardi, Duke of Burgundy, who, as tradition informs us, took the question unto is own hands, his minister of Agriculture and Statistics, for fear of offending the very vindictive and pow- erful " Clique" of " Lantern Scrapers, " refused even to report upon the matter — for which by the by, if we are correctly informed, he was afterwards expulsed — fixed in the public Pillory — and condemned to have forfeited the right of carrying that emblem of vf rility, the Beard — which lenient sentence of the Hardy Phillipe, deponant sayeth — was confirmed by the public verdict, of " Served him right the, &c., &c." Be that as it may. The said Royal Buke, complains bitterly that important foreign personages cume no longer, as in the passed, to pro- vision themselves with the excellent Wines (the best in Christendom) of Baume, Pomard and Volnay, and bring in exchange of these productions, both money, and merchan- dise. After the information he has obtained he attributes this fact to two causes. In the first place, he accuses the Vine Growers of at- taching more importance to the quantity, than to the quality, —introducing miserable plants in the midst of choice ones, and robbing strangers by selling abominable " Gamais " for good Wine. . ■ i ,•■ In the second place, the Duke Phillipe, denounces strong- ly, and vigourousl}', those persons who go about gathering — " Scrapings of Lanterns, and excrements " to place in the snmpiMipiB ring, those Sojiteiiiber, >f October, iouditioued lis misrule )W the pre- V fabulous. ordmaiice the Ilardi, J took the Lilture and aud pow- 1 even to f we are -fixed in ""eited the J— which sayeth — im right nportant !, to pro- best in bring in lerehan- ites this s of at- luality, '0 ones, is " for 3tronir. ;riug — iu tho 27 vineyards, rendering the "Wines of such a nature, that no good christian, either could, or dared, to drink them ; upon which, the good Duke decrees : that all who shall dare to continue such mulpractices, shall be lined the amount of " sixty sols," and the confiscation of all beasts of burden, and conveyances, that shall be sufficiently daring, to — " Mener, fair/mener, charroyer, porter, ou mettre par quelque voie que ce soit," raclures de lanternes, ordures, excrements, etc., etc. CHAPTER VII. WINE. It will be easily perceived, the importance attached in Burgundy to their wines, and there is no reason, why we should not produce better ones, on the borders of the St. Lawrence. And why should it not be so ? If Monsieur De Gas- perins is correct. In assertiug the best wine is made, where the greatest heat is concentrated, in the sJiortest season of ve- getatiou, and where there exists, the greatest contrasts of temperature. Now, the. season of vegetation in Burgundy Mr. De Qasperins informs us, varies from 168, to 174 days with an exceptional year at 162. Our seasonof vegetation varies from 135 to 150 days calculated (as in Burgundy for the grape) when the temperature rises to 12 centigrade and returns below that degree. * . «i .n.j 28 if :H Our amount of heat during a season of vegetation of 135 days is /ar superior to that of Burgundy with its 174 days. Notwithstanding, that our contrasts between the temperature of day, and night, are much greater. Purity of atmosphere, the next greatest advantage for a wine climate, we posses, in a much greater degree, than Burgundy, or indeed than any part of France. The very variations in our temperature, demonstrate this purity of at- mosphere, as the former, is produced by radiation of heat, which is the consequence of the latter — we have always been in the habit of praising our long winters, and appologising for our short and burning summers — whereas the real advantage of our climate consists, in the heat and brevity of those very summers, which can by the wonderful riches they produce. When properly managed compensate, for even the unpleasant, and UDiprofitable length of our winters. As to the effects of vine culture upon emigration, it can be well understood that the moment we commence such operations upon any important scale, we remove from the European immagination that chill, and shudder, ever asso- ciated with Canada, supposed to be only productive of snow, wood, and ice. The physical, moral, and social efTect, of wine upon our population, can neither be overrated, or exagerated. A French Political Economist, declares, that wine is to the French, and Latin race in general, what Beef is to the Anglo Saxons. I am persuaded that wine is "meat and drink" to every division of the human race. It is, at the same time, the antidot to Dispepsia and Delirium Tremens — has ever, at the same time, banished the use of spirituous liquors — and " made the heart of man glad." It seems to be a nessescity of the human organisation. It awakes the forces of the stomach, excites the fibres of the brain, and exercices an action of radiation upon the entire nervous system, and the complicated vital functions, and appears to be a beverage indispensable to mmi — being that, which is the most easily ob- tained — and the most agreable, and most generally ap- M 29 ationofl35 ts 174 dajs. emperature vantage for egree, than The very urity of at- heat, which been in 3gising for advantage those very y produce, npleasant, ^ration, it nence such 3 from the 3ver asso- uctive of upon our ated. A 3 to the he Anglo rink" to me time, s ever, at ^rs— and nessescity s of the 'cices an and the everage sily ob- ^^y ap- preciated, which is proved by the fact of the exclusion of all others withm the climates where it can be 'produced. But, in order that wine should become the universal beverage of the country, it must be produced of every quality, and of every Price. ,' ^" * The attempt to produce only sparkling Catawba — re-" minds one, of the unfortunate Queen, who proposed to sub- stitute " sweet cakes " for that bread, the want of which (as foreseen by Arthur Young) caused the French Jievolution. Good sound ordinary wines, are the only real basis upon which such cultivation can be established, for it must be re- membered that, as for every other description of merchandize, poor consumers are the most numerous. ' ' '>ir-j,v.\-^ rrr ."'.i Unlike most other production, it is by no means a de. fined substance, presenting everywhere the same composition. For some, it is a delicate beverage, the merit of which consists in the odour, or " bouquet," — in the unctions and agreable savour, to the palate, much more, than in the more or less quantity of alcohol it contains. ■ i ni^^iJai • j;j For others, it is only a spirit, more or less diluted, between these extreems, ail tastes, and necessities, may be discovered. But, as the mass of consumers are poor, so are the ordinary wines the most numerous, and their value — (which consists in the spirit they contain) — more easily ap- preciated. With regard to fine wines, on the contrary, you can dis- cover no other guage, than the palate of the connaiaseur, whose opinion will only be guided by either an acquired taste- or the fashion of day. ^b-^f^n ^ il These qualities of so much value, may be obtained, by any one within the Wine Regions, but never in an infaliablei' manner, and to a degree foreseen in advance." !f^:ntnd ortJ "io w With the plants, soil, and aspect, of clos-vougeot — Wine is made in the same district in no way resembling that of clos^' VOUgeOt. -'■.-•• ' -■ r- ' : • . ■ ^ ,.(-•' •■.I, v'jii. .<^<-'iu-Jit.<^exiiO0' A great number of questions present themselve to the : Wine grower in a new country, where no agricultural ex- ■ 80 perience can guide him,— and the problems he must solve are so complicated, and so numerous, that I find it impossi- ble within the limited space of a small pamphlet to give even an outline of the Agricultural, Economical, and Commercial considerations, nessessary for, relating t(), or dependant upon, the success of so arduous an undertaking. iMliH i:l CHAPTER VltT. CONCLUSION An important duty compels me to explain to mj friends, the progr sscian enterprise, with which my name has been for some years connected, and expose to them, the argu- ments that have been adopted by those, who have laboured to twart my efforts, towards the advancement of a question, that must inevitably, and at no distant period, become a dominant one, in this province. • ' ' ■ ' i ' » In solliciting assistance from Government, I have never stipulated for personal advantages, before it should have been in my power to furnish unequivocal proofs of undoubted suc- cess. •'- '* - ■ ■ ■■• '-"' ■ ' ■ ,' Tet, I have been taxed, with " exorbitant pretentions " '1 31 and " chimerical views " by men, who are unable to comfute my theories — deny the f'tr-L'i 1 have i)ractically estublishod, — or comprehend tlie motives thul actuate me, or the senti- ments that animate me. I shall continue however, as far it hiys within my power, to advocate those principles, and advance towards the ac- complishment of those projects, that in my solemn conviction, are destined to exercise incalculable iniiuence, upon the future prosperity of this country. In the mean time, I can assure my friends and those enlightened men, who from 8ni)erior intelligence, or educa- tion, have been able at n glance toa[ipreciate the importance of my views — that, nothing can be more refreshing, and encouraging, to a man of profond convictions, than the coun- tenance of those he admires, and respects, unless indeed, to that may be adjoined, " the hate he disdains." My limited space prevent me also from passing in re- view, the numerous Agricultural failures, and worthless experiments, that have been made upon this continent, and while fully a[»preciating the spirited, although unsuccessful etlbrts of many, who depended upon circumstances beyond their control. — I must deplore the effects of such groping, and blundering, and regret the consequences naturally so prejudicial to the general wellfare. But without desiring to attribute unworthy motives to an accomplished Professor, I must also deplore that men of recognised worth, and undoubted capacity — instead of obser- ving the extreom caution, and reserve, ever attendant upon such superior acquirements — Should allow themselves to be drawn bevond the extended limits, of their manifold and im- portant attributions in order to become the instruments of their inferiors— and to exibit the contrast, existing between pretentions to "universal knowledge"— and to claims less presumptive, and more admissible. , ,. , > .. ; v, > •i'' ''W[:;i I !l , !i M 32 .''• I have no object in reprnducinij Professor ITink's letters npon the Silk question — or the details of my satisfactory experiments upon that subject,as in my opinion Silk culti- vation upon this continent must follow, and not precede, that of the Vine. — I have however to admit, that I consider his botanical appreciations have been correct upon that subject and that I must liave mistaken for a second growth of Basswood a s[)ecies of Wild Mulbery — the leaves of which, liave been aoce])ted with avidity by the Silk worm. It now remains for me to explain the progress of my experiments upon the culture of the Vine, since the date of those letters, whose authority I have at length endeavoured to c(Hnfute. It may easily be understood to be absurd, and impossible to expect, at that period — without the advantage of practical experiments in my flavour, that my theories would be tolle- rated, when opposed to the decision of a recognised authority, a University Professor. ' ■ : .. t I therefore applied myself to make loine and to demon- strate in a practical manner, that our "native species '' was a true vine. The " vitis vinifera " or vine producing grape vine, when cultivated, quite equal to those varieties cul- tivated in Europe — and also, that European vines ca/i succeed perfectly in this climate. Sustained by the great authority of a successful experi- ment, I appealed during the last season, to several gentle- men, of recognized intelligence, of large views, and of standing in the country, and encouraged by their appro- bation, I laid the entire case, theoretical and practical before the President of the Executive Council, the Ho- norable Mr. McGee. '! iX?«f»77,V? ^-rr>fr*?,,f ,,> 1 r r r> r i I cannot presume to say here, all that flows from heart and brain, respecting that amiable and accomplished gentle- man, and dilligeut statesman, suffice to say, that after the most minute examination of my theories, and a careful com- parison with the practical results I obtained. He was pleas- ed to take and feel a very cousiderable interest in the matter, and exercised his influence with the Honorahle Mr. Sicotte, who iu his turn, after a very patient and minute enquiry, assured me that he would grant me every assistance in his power, and that I should be allowed a thousand dollars in September. The Honorable Mr. McGee also wrote to me in August, assuring me that the Honorable Premier was most favourably inclined, and had authorised him to inform me, that I should receive in September that sum. Circumstances have hitherto prevented the Honorable Mr. Sicotte from being able to assist my enterprize, in the manner that this liberal, and highminded gentleman, and statesman, had desired, but I must say I feel perfectly satis- fied, that the "Father of the Fisheries " will do all that may be in his power, to endow the country with an industry, the value of which can be, by no one better appreciated — and who when convinced is obliged to encourage — for to none can be more applicable, " noblesse oblige." The Friends and Patrons of the system i advocate, and to whom alone I address myself, will understand the reserve imposed upon me under the present circumstances. If at regret, I have been obliged to express political convictions, they must remember, that such are not those of either of the political divisions of the Province. They are merely aspirations towards that which does not yet exist, and can, in no manner, be offensive to those gentlemen, who upon each side of the Parliamentary benches, have concien- cious duties to perform, — As alternatively they occupy, either the responsable Position of "Advisers of the Crown," or of " Her Maj esty *s Opposition.** n • • > -i? ; i j Under all circumstances, and considering the feelings by which I am animated towards many illustrious repre- sentatives of both administrations. It must be perceived that however difficult it may be, to suffer injustice in silence when it appears so easy (in theory) " to speak out ** such a thing (in practice) may however be impossible to many. Finding that Mr. Sicotte was not likely to return from England before the end of January, and in the hopes of ar- 1% I t m 84 t i • ', * i-f 'x*- riving at some conclusion with Government, and that they might be disposed to place the wiue question, in a prominent position before the country, for as a picture becomes more attractive from the beauty of its frame, so would a vinegard from the nature of its " entourage " and from its facilities of inspection. Iaddrcf?Pod a letter to the Honorable the Provincial Secretary, for the information of Ilis Excellency the Gover- nor General, who was gratiously pleased to direct His Mi- nister of Agriculture and Statistics to report thereon. As no report was (from circumstances unnecesdary to mention) likely to be furnished by the gentleman in question, 1 endeavoured to furnish one myself, for the information of the Executive Council, in the letter addressed to the Hono- rable Mr. Sicotte, that I now reproduce, although, I was aware that this Honorable Minister was absent from Quebec. M ff +fit>-.'w n(-r. ...,/ ..., •,, Quebec, January the 15th 1863. The Honorable L. V. Sicotte, ' 1-,:' ,, i Premitrfor Lower Canada, S(c., S{c., 8fc. MyDeARSiE, ,,.,> :i, ..,:.,;■»,, ,,iV -••r-^u^ , ■ • i -r, •'■ ^'- After your departure, I appealed personally to the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, praying for an answer to my report, and shewing him that I had been under considerable ex- pense, not only in cultivating the wild grape, but actually in bringing the grape into town, and making the Wine, in such a manner as to prove its identity. I only received as answer, that he, (the Hon. Minister), knew nothing about it. I have, since then, made application to the Provincial Secretary, for the information of His Excellency the Gover- nor General, who has been pleased to direct that the Minis- ter of Agriculture might report on my demand. I have now the honor to present you with samples of Wine, furnished by the cultivated Wild Grape, and am 85 persuaded that, making allowance for tlie green f taste, which it possesses, incommon with almost all new wines, you will consider it equal to ordinary Burgundy, which it ressembles, not only in flavor, but in its qualities and color. The Fact of having produced a wine, will, I presume, show the correctness of my theories. As to the quality of Wine, allow me to declare it to be a question of Agricultural Experience, and such is indeed the reason why private enterprise, cannot be expected to undertake the expenses of experience, which can not by any means remain a privilege. j.*- -^ *.. I quote the Count de Gasperin, Vol., 4th, pages 616, 617 and 618, as authority: — - W r v " The nature and quality of the Wine that is desired to be made, must above all be arranged by a choice of plants. ' Chemical analyzation has not been able to indicate qualities, ' it is therefore to agricultural experience alone that we ' must adresa ourselves for the knowledge required. K the ' variety of Wine desired exists near us we can accept it. It ' will be sufficient, in that case, to consult the best produ- ' cers, and conform to their practice in proportioning the ' different varieties of Wines, that united in a vineyard, ' produce the commercial article in question. If you plant ' a vineyard with the intention of procuring ordinary table ' Wines, not of the first qualities, you must associate an ' abund?»it vine to one of a higher quality. -^^^ . r " All Vines of the first qualities have the distinctive ' character of producing spirituous Wines, and in small ' quantities. - , r - -or. , ir»,-vr.nT ?> r^^rfi^ " Vines that produce in great abundance, are generally ' inferior in quality. Thus, the " Pinot " gives 0-10 of ' Alcohol with a produce of * 20 hectolitres the acre, 'the Garaais" 0-038 alcohol, with 160 hectolitres; the ' Gouais," 0-032 alcohol, with 240 hectolitres, and the "Ara- ' mon " still lejs of alcohol, with five hundred hectolitres t Is always a guaranty of value. " Agricultare Pratique," vol. 2, page 665. '^ * A hundred quarts. '» ' : .. - • j,. lil ,v7,ii // 86 ** production. You should consider a certain balance in the ** proportion of plants, so that in table "Wines the quantity ** may recompense the quality. " If your Wine is too sweet, and wants ferment, correct " it by planting Vines that posses contrary qualities, and give " dry Wines. If there is want of spirit, remedy it, in like « manner. " If abundant in sediment, or likely to turn into '* vinegar, supply the deficit by planting Vines possessing a ** great deal of Tanning. ** And in the association of plants, it is not only neces- ** sary to calculate the taste required, but also the degree of " colour preferable to consumers. " The cultivated Wild Grape that produced the samples submitted for your examination, flowered on the 8rd of June, coloured on the Ist of August, and was ripe on the 28tb of September. In Burgundy, the Vine flowers on the 11th of June, colours on the 15th of August, and ripens late in October. The fact that a good sound Wine can be produced in this country, I consider has been by me practically demon- strated. It may, moreover, be proved by a matematical calculation, that we belong to a Wine district. The Count de Gasparin, Vol. 2, page 354, declares a simple rule with- out an exception : " The climate of the Vine is characterised ** by the possibility of attaining a total heat, (solar and at- " mospheric), of 2680 degrees " (Centigrade). I assert that we posset much more than 3000 degrees (centigrade), and I have based my theories. 1st. On the /ac/ that a22 countries in Europe capable of producing Indian Corn, are considered to be in the centre of the Wine region, which extends more than 200 miles north of where Indian Corn ceases to ripen. -• o ■., 2nd. On the other /ac< that the only aromatic Wines in Europe are grown north of the 45th degree of latitude, and on the principle recognized by the Count de Gasperin, Vol. 4, page 687, that the best Wines are produced where the season 87 mce in the le quantity at, correct J, and give it, in like turn into ssessing a samples le 8rd of 9 on the of June, Btober. duced in demon- ematical e Count lie with- tcterised and at- Jert that >), and I pable of centre of s north Ines in and on Vol. 4, season ^ of vegetation is the shortest, and where there exists the great' est variations of temperature, so that vegetation may pro- ceed by starts, and not by a uniform march. As to the importance of an industry that would create an entire revolution in our commercial, social, and political position, I do not consider it necessary to indicate, when addressing myself to the able statesman, of whom I have the t -t.,,., r /. _l" honor to declare myself, ' -. , -f = . • The very Respectful and Obedient Servant, l\ ' J ;;,[, J. M. Db COURTENAY. ,',■♦ i- { r-*r% " r ^ f-^* -if n ■ T a It being notorious that Mr. Evanturel, and Mr. Mc- Dougall, did not conceal their opinions of my project. I waited upon Mr. Sicotte upon his return, and afterwards pre- sented him with the following letter : — */ J.' vr^i_^ ^. j.,j c^ ■ ' ' ^.' *5c ::; Quebec, January the 27th, 1863. The Honorable Louis Victor Sicotte, . ►,,-,.,(«, Premier for Lower Canada, ^c, ^c., SfC. - - .,f-^^ ,.?rff My Dear Sir : — /■' f ■rc'! i... M r^.-.n^':-, i I desire to lay before you a memorandum of my con- versation yesterday, with regard to my answers to the ob- jections made by the Honorable Mr. McDougall. £-j» -- ?j -i Ist. Because the wine produced by me was sour. -? 2nd. Because, to his own knowledge, there exists the greatest difficulty even in Upper Canada, in cultivating the Catawba and Isabella Qrape. In answer to the first assertion, I deny the wine in question being sour, but admit it to be biiteTf in consequence of containing too much Tanning. Had I been permitted to make the wine as I pleased, I would have added to the eultivated Native Grape, other grapes of French origin, also cultivated by me, in the open air, and of which I have had the honour to present you .a 38 i\ magnificent sample — equal to anything I have ever seen in France. I was prevented from doing so, by your desire that ONLY grapes from the native vine should be used. UndrT any circumstances, wine with an excess of Tan- ning, is the most valuable, and is purchased to give flavour, body and colour, to those of inferior qualities. It must be evident to you that my object was not to make a superior wine, but to produce a wine from the Na^ live Grape alone. In doiLg so, I only made use of two varieties of the Native Grape, and I am persuaded that the varieties of our native vines are as numerous, as Virgil once proclaimed those of Europe to be : — rn ;-'iT " Qutm qui scire velit Libyci velit seqnoris Idem '•Discere; quam niultaj zcphiro turbentur areriie. " Aut, ubi, navigiis violentiur incidit Eurus, " Nos8e quot loni veiniant ad littora fluctus." /i;r'M iiMii geor. n. As to the second objection, I do not understand the even, if indeed it does not mean, that Upper Canada is war- mer, and more suitable to the culture of the vine. If so, I den V it ''"' '^* X''"^^'^'"^"^ ''"^ ^-'^ •*'--'^^''i"'''^''^5-'^' ^''' ■ ' ::■'■"■ A dry climate is essential to the production of good wine. " Wine is grown North, South and East of Brittany, hut cannot succeed there in consequence of the moisture of the climate. — De Gasperin, vol. 3, page 318. Alexander Morris, M. A., in his Prize Essay on Canada, in speaking of the climate, page 141, declares, " That the " thermometer is a very imperfect guide to enquirers accus- " tomed to its ranges in the damp humid atmosphere of sea- " bound countries." And again, speaking of the moisture caused by the evaporation from the great Western Lakes says : " Hence the production of greater winter cold, and " summer heat in the valleys of St. Lawrence and Ottawa, " than South of the Uth Parallel.'* Page 142, he says : " The " mean highest temperature at Montreal, in July, is 97-70 " at Toronto, 88-38. The mean lowest temperature at " Montreal, in July, is 53-26, and at Toronto 42-86." 89 I think when it is considered that the vine requires a dry climate, and the greatest heat in the shortest season <»f vegetation, Mr. McDougall's even is without a rational mea- ning. As to the production in Canada — except in some most exceptional situation — of the Catawba or Isabella grape, it only proves again, how dangerous the futile efforts of igno- rance, seeking impossibilities, have ever been, to real pro- gress. The Romans took thirteen centuries to transport the southern vine from Italy to Chalons, and yet the task was easier than to introduce the Isabella and Catawba grape into Canada. Those vines were brought from North and South Carolina to Cincinati, and require more heat than can, even there, in ordinary seasons be produced. I am persua- ded the Catawba requires more than 6,000° of heat, and the Isabella 5,000° besides being, in my opinion, worthless and unprofitable as a wine grape. / . . The vines of France are classed in seven divisions, ac- cording to the heat required for the muturity of each. The first four divisions alone can ripen in Canada : „ ,,, ^. Division,* degrees. Ripens. ,4»„,v -, ,r^, ; .-. ,:-jr n - Ist total heat 2264 15tli of July ; South of France, 20th Aug.— Paris. 2nd 3400 25th Aug. ; do do 7th Oct.— Paris. 3rd 35G5 1st Sep. ; do do 20th Oct.— Paris. •my 4133 27th Sep. ; do do Does not ripen at Paris. J6& ' 4238 2nd Oct. ; do do :.i!t "to -oniMfiO'p 1 6th 4392 10th Oct ; do do n hi •i'>iojX(Oia'i:.i;t : ■ nh 5000 31 8t Oct ; do do • The first division are eating grapes alone, and unfit for the manufacture of wine. — De Gasperin, Vol. 4, Page 606. ^ I believe that the 5th division might ripen in the most favourable positions of our climate, but there would be no advantage gained by it. The best vines in France belong to the 3rd division. The best white vines (the Chasselas Dore,) which I cultivated in Canada, and ripen early in Sep- tember, belong to the second. , , ■ ,: , .,, .„„,,, :j, i The art of wine culture consists in the judicious assort- litt 40 ment of plants, established at such distances between each other, as may accord with the nature of the climate, and the vigour of each variety ; and, above all things, success de- pends, wpon the manner of 'pruning, which, in my opinion, has never been properly understood, on this continent. Considering our climate as the centre of the wine region, I planted and pruned accordingly, and found I was correct. German labourers from th3 Rhine, have planted and pruned in an extreme southern climate — Cincinnatti — in the same manner they had been accustomed to treat the Rhen- ish vines of their own northern limit of the region. The vigour of the vine diminishes as it approaches the north, and while in the * South it furnished the Staircase of Diana's Temple of Ephesus, in the extreme northern limit it would not produce the wand of a centurion. I have again the honor to remain, my dear Sir, Your most respecful and faithful servant, J. M. Db COURTENAY. Since then, the question has been under the considera- tion of the Honorable Premier for Lower Canada, who will have occasion to examine, with the clear impartial and un- prejudiced judgment for which he is distinguished, both the objections of my opponents, and my own justifications, toge- ther with the testimony of my freinds, which however flat- tering in every respect, I refrain from publishing, from reasons that may be appreciated. The claims set forth for Government assistance, are based upon the principle that production of good wine in a new country can be obtained by " Agricultural experience alone " and experience of every discriptiou, has to be paid for, and unfortunately, with difficulty can be otherwise ob- tained, t ... ' i . . * Pliae, Book 14, cap. 6. ' .* .• Should my views be correct, the sooner they becomd public property, and are propagated, the sooner individuals, and the country in general, will enjoy the advantages to be derived. ' , . > , > . j When the Honorable gentleman who is charged with the developement of the Agricultural resources of this Province, informed me that instead of wine, he would intro- duce "Tea and other Legumes," I submitted that the "Legumes " in question would be a poor appeal to emigra- tion, in comparison with a much inferior description of wine, to that which I have already produced, and that as I under- stood the question, it had now advanced to that degree which would render it necessary to make the option between declaring me rightf or proving to the country that I was wrong. That if declared right, it would be immediately an adver- tisement for emigrants, more effective in my opinion, than Ten Itinerant Agents, and would cost less than one. I could discover no means by which it could be proved to the country that I was wrong, when " stubborn facts " proclaimed " un fait accompli," and that the only question remaining to be decided, was the manner, and rapidity of the developement of these resources, so important to the general wellfare, and so essential to the public good. ■ Had I not, from historical experience learned, that all innovations of any value, have universally been honored by the blind and wilful opposition, of a certain class of men, whom I decline to qualify — I would have lost both patience, and courage, at what has subsequently taken place. -'^"''' ^' But having from the commencement been convinced, that exception could not be made, in my own particular case, to a rule so universal, I cheerfully accepted, what I could not avoid, and what it must have been wilful blindness not to have foreseen. v. - -^ ■ ■ ^ < ;.- -■'■■ • ' • '■^' » • ■■ : These reflections recall to my memoiy a deseription of the efforts of Parraentier, to introduce the potaioe into f ! 42 France, published by me last autumn, in the Journal de QuSbec. Although, I must confess, they are little encouraging to my hopes of witnessing, the successful realisation of my plans, yet perhaps this may be considered an appropriate ter- mination, to the hurried explications I have been able to offer on a subject, that I am in hopes, may attract the atten- tion, and obtain the support, of the many enlightened and liberal minded men, comprised in the Representation of this Province, and of those, who from a Pinnacle attained, by exalted position, or recognized merit, exercise a discernment which is denied to more ordinary sight. ,.v:,: ;••:. FARMENTIER. It was in 1565 that Captain John Hankins brought to Europe some Potatoes from Santa-Fe de Botoga, and en- deavoured to introduce the cultivation into Ireland. Later in the same century, Francis Drake imported that plant to Virginia, from whence he brought a certain quantity to England in 1586, and confided them to his gardener and to the botanist Gerard, who fruitlessly endeavoured to propa- gate the culture, and forwarded some t^ Clusius, who speaks of them in his works. - :'<• '?• , ' At the same, time the Spaniards introduced them on the continent of Europe, and in 1616 we find them served at the kings table, but with little success, otherwise the courtiers would undoubtedly have made them fashionable, and propa- gated them. Had they done so, they might have prevented the Revo- lution, which perhaps was caused by want of bread. However, every encouragement of eminent men failed to propagate the use of this valuable root, which fell so much into oblivion, that Sir Walter Raleigh, in the 17th century, introduced the cultivation into Ireland, as a new plant, from 4S samples imported from Virginia, where formerly they had been propagated by Drake. It was, however, only towards the decline of the 18th century, that they succeeded in being propagated in France, and then thanks to the tenacity of a man, whose name in consequence, has merited celebrity. Indeed it would be dif- ficult to overrate the advantages this plant produced to France, during the period of the second famine. Monsieur Parmentier took the potatoe, we may say, under his special protection, and passed many years of his life endeavouring to propagate it, without success, notwith, standing which, he was penetrated with the conviction of its great value, and foresaw the important services it would one day be called to render, in contributing to the alimentation of the masses. G reived at this want of success, in a project which he thought might even then, ward off the approaching catas- trophy. He had recourse to an ingenious stratagem, and one that shewed him to have been a profound thinker, and ac- curate judge of human character. : •' '; He was authorised by Government to occupy the plains of Grenelle, and the Sablons, whic^ he covered with potatoes that succeeded admirably, and when ripe, he caused them, during the day, to be guarded by a detachment of troops. The population of the environs of Paris, very naturally supposed, that plants so guarded must have the greatest value, and when night approached, and the sentries took their leave, Parmentier's fields were ravaged, and his potatoes transported, and distributed, amongst the suburban popu- lations. This he expected, and was rejoiced. The children of Eve were then about to eat forbidden fruit. ' " The gardens in the neighbourhood of Paris were soon crowded with potatoes, which advanced from thence into the more extensive culture of the nearest farms. Parmentier was delighted with his success, and re- doubled his endeavours. But there, as in all countries, were 44 found, the envious, malicious, and ignorant, who by instinct, are the obstacles to every public good. As the Almighty has created nothi'^g without an object, we must presume that this disgusting class of billious, ve- nimous humanity, have like toads, serpents, scorpions, some Ignoble destiny to fulfil ; Perhaps ordained as contrasts, Perhaps as punishment for us, or them. Ifone can however deny that they exist, and poor Par- mentier found so to his cost, for soon a murmur spread around, that these much vaunted plants, were poisonous. The people took alarm, and scenes occured, like those, when Cholera first came to Europe, and villians spread abroad, that fountains, bread, and vegetables, were poisoned to destroy. Parmentier fled, to save his life, but the two famines, that followed upon, so soon the bloody Revolution of that « Age of Rage" taught people the importance of Parmen- tier's favorite plant, and then in gratitude they tried, in vain to rebaptise it with his name, and term it *' Parmen- ti6re." .^ rli, . t„. ^ , i::i^'\-t^^di"'%b}iQliizi .:'j:!:q -.nlli Df;o;eri.f jj--- ,;isn'^'-i'^ .- ' ^i^^' t ir.:i I i LA FREMI£RE VIGNE CULTIV£E DU BAS-CANADA. Ire — ^Victoria Regina, Baisins pourpres, Grains ronds, Sue Rose. « 26me — La Heine Hortense, rouge 3(ime — La viscomtesse Monck, noir " 46me — Magenta noir velout^ " 56me — La croix de Savoie Wane " Et deux autres vari^t^es non encore classdes. (( « (( « " Rose. " Rouge. " Rouge sang. " Blanc. I ii— 1» I Erratum. — On the second title page, instead of " the wine/' read " the vine." CI INDEX. Chapter I — Our Position 3 « II— The Wealth of Heat 7 " III— An Institution 11 u IV— A Professor 13 " V — Planting andPruning 22 " VI — TJn ministre stranger (k I'agriculture) 25 a VII— Wine 27 " VIII— Conclusion 30