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Encouraged by the manner in which the Firsc Edition of this Pamphlet has been received, notwithstanding the numerous typographic errors that (from a misunderstanding) had been allowed to remain uncorrected, I have come to the resolution of publishing a Second Edition and of ad- joining a few notes, which may, I hope, afford to my friends the explanations they desire. The Author. Quebec, 2nd March 1863. Hi i WINE CULTURE. OUR POSITION. CHAPTER I. 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. The admirers of law, order and authority, seek in vain, for a guaranty, 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 invested. I 5 ; i.(. Feeling the inferiority of our agricultural ressources, 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 diminishing, 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 Processor of Oxford, as our vital agricultural prospects, have been, by his Toronto colleague. Strange to say, it has never entered into thecr.lculations of our stetesmen, and political economists, that our great staple commodity was land — and our only hope an abundant flow of Emigration. Indeed, the question of " to be or not to be " — depends upon our capacity of demonstrating, that our land is equal, if not superior, to any other such commodity, upon this Con- tinent Should we feel ourselves unable to solve that problem, we may in vain assure the world, that we are an amiable, hard working people, enjoying a very healthy, although a very unpleasant, and unprofitable climate — where a stout heart, and hard muscles, are required, to support the apprenticeship of hardships, represented as the inevitable doom of those, who must only expect to acquire a plain living, in exchange for hard labour. Expending considerable sums in attracting the poor and hard working emigrant to our shores, with the only apparent result of patronizing the Grand Trunk, and Great Western Railways, 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. Not content with such re8ult8, we place an almost insur- mountable 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. The limitation in the sale of Crown Lands, of 200 acres to each individual, is the fruit of our leveling system. It was ostensibly carried out, under the pretext of preventing Land jobbing, which, in many parts of Canada, is now as flourishing as ever. Had such been the real object in view, it might have been accomplished, by obliging an entail — and thus en- deavouring to conserve every element of our monarchial institutions, instead of pandering to the vilest instincts of unbridled mobocracy. We might thus have attracted to our lands, men of wealth, and position in Europe, desirous of establishing the foundation of A Family in our midst. Many Noblemen, and Gentlemen in Great Britain, and on the Continent of Europe, would seize with eagerness, upon the posaibility of establishing, the Younger Branches of their families, otherwise, than amongst over-crowded professions, and employments, and we could easily afford them facilities for occupying our waste Lands, and paying the taxes im- posed upon them, when no longer belonging to the Crown. Numbers of our own wealthy and spirited merchants, would prefer expending upon estates, the fortunes we so often behold squandered upon unproductive suburban villas. I submit to any educated man in this Province, if an appeal has ever been made, to any other, than the most in- ferior class of labouring Emigrants. If it has become a byword in the country, that only that class of men can succeed. A man they say, must march against the Forest, his axe upon his shoulder, and he alone, can make it recoil. The result of such a system, is the willful distruction of our valuable and magnificent Forests. — Poverty in the pre- sent, disorder — disaster — and bankruptcy, in the prospect. A conetitutional monarchy, only in name, an encroach- ing, leveling, 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 any-thing 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 colonize, 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. K Lower Cjj.nada proposes to remain stationary for ten years—or even for half of that period, Her Sun will inexiiiahly rise in the "WesU l\ CHAPTER II. THB WEALTH OF HEAT. 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. Our farmers, and agricultural labourers, have emigrated from more northern latitudes. The Norwegian, Scotchman, and Northern Englishman, may feel at home during our winters, but no class of En^i- grants amving in the St. Lawrence, are prepared for U ^^ Am< 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 apologised for. Had we endeavoured 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 imagination, a Scotch farmer. Take away from France, her wine, oil, and silk, and imagine what would remain of her thirty five millions of 6 population, of her splendid Army, of her Imperial Govern- ineiit. As long as Canada does not produce wine, oil, silk, and hf>mp in abundance, she may be considered in comparatively the same wretched position, of an imaginary France, re- duced to the miserable resources of ordinary field crops. In order that the importance of the comparison may be understood, I must explain, with the authority of Count De 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 best Europe can afibrd, although the Count for many years was minister of Agriculture. Thus in the 4th vol. of his " Cours d' Agriculture ** pages 697 and 698 1 find : " The Mulberry accompanies ihe vine, to its last limit " in altitude and we do not doubt, that also in latitude, this " will be to and 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 "twelve millions of francs, is what the mulberry produces •* to France, which is one third of the production of its " vineyards." I find that these productions amount to Wine - - - - 934 millions Silk - - - - 312 do Making a total of 1248 millions of francs or of 250 millions of dollars, As to the production of oil, I can only speak here, of that which is furnished by the Wallnut, and which is at least equal in quality to that of the Olive. The French have divided their Wallnuts into seven varieties. Jst Noyer a coque tendre. 2nd Noyer tardif. 8rd Koyer de jauge ou k groa fruits. m 4th Noyer K bijonx. 5th Noyer a truit dur ou Noyer noir. 6th Noyer a grappes, ou de Canada. 7th Noyer La cerise, and in short the "Noyer commnn." The fifth, and sixth, are originaries of North America, and known in thia country, as the black walinut, and the butternut. The second, only flowers in June, and would be the species, suitable for this climate, and to graft uj on the Canadian varieties. Before the empire of Napoleon the Ist, many wallnuta incapable of producing oil, were grown in France. But that great reformer, that regenerator of France, ordered men who understood the grafting of this tree, to be sent all over the country, and in two or throe years, every Barren Walinut in France, changed its nature, and became an abun- dant source of revenue. In the "Vaucluse" especially, (which was covered with the black walinut, and the butter- nut). This measure changed the face of the country, which can easily be imagined when it is considered, that an average tree, will produce 100 fraucs, 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 walinut. What a change a few gratters would make, and how easily accomplished. I again introduce the Count De Gasperin's " Cours d'Agri- culture" vol. 4th, page^ 753 and 754. "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 " walinut, which furnishes nearly half the oil that is consumed " in Frai -je, more than three times the quantity that is ob- " tained from the Olive, and three fourths of that produced " by Oleogenous grains. " But uo more wallnuts are planted, whilst Qumbera are I ; II *' annually rooted out. It will finish by altogether disappear- " ing from all lands susceptible of other cultivation. " What are the causes of distruction to this line tree, " the veritable monarch of our vegetation ? " As with the Olive, and the chessnut, it arrives from " the decay of family 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 durability of positions, that makes " the father foresee for his children, another destiny than " bis 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 may be themselves unable to enjoy. -' The great value of the wood has to us a temptation *' we know not how to resist. As twenty wallnut ou an " acre of land represents a value of 3000 francs, often supe- " rior to that of the soil. " This 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 pro- '' duce, and in sixty, the maximum of its crops. ** Vv hat 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 distruction of property. The action of the Revolution was hastened by Land companies or ** Black Hands," as they were there stigma- tized, 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." 9 CHAPTFR III. AN INSTITUTION. In the sessional papers of 1860 Ko. 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 believe 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. It will be easily understood, with what ability he was chosen for the business. In Europe, nearly all public administrations of every discription, 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, N 10 It all deponds upon the nature of the establishment, and the capacity of the Bully — and a good deal as to whether the administration retains 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 Professor 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 knock- ed me over the Bannisters, 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 correspondance, 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. XI CHAPTER IV. A PROFESSOR. To William Hutton, Esquire, Secretary, Bureau of Agriculture, Quebec. University College, Toronto^ September the 29 I may however remark, that ordinary labourers iire generally more useful in their own climate, and are very rarely " experienced cultivatois " elsewhere. Had Ohio obtained the assistance of able, and sciontilic Wine Growers from Europe, they would no' have buin groping for thirty five years, after (in my oninion) unsatia- factary results. As to the value of the Ohio climate in comparison with the lenght of our Winters, I assert, that the bust 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, are yet further North. As for Sherry, and Port, they are not Aromatic Wines, but are manufactured \vith Brandy, and other ingredientsj and for the English market alone. Monsieur de Gasperiu's estimate of a Wine climate, must naturally carry with it more- conviction, tiiau any argu- ments I can offer. 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 difference, 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. " This discription of our own climate, by so undoubted an authority as Monsieur de Gasperin, will convince many, that it has been often sadly calumniated, by " the Learned of the Land. " ■ • 16 ii i ' A8 a further example of the active part Mr. Ilinks has taken in this unworthy, and impolitic hue and cry — I beg loiivu to extract a paragraph from his letters on the Silk (jiiestion. In order to understand the fallacy of such doctrines, it must be borne in mind, that as the Silk worm in Europe, is always reared by means o^ artificial heat, which is provided with greater facility that an artificial cool temperature — the practical result has been, that hcai^ and not cold, furnishes the limit to that industry. — The proof of which we may discover in the/«d, that in Malta the production of Silk has been a miserable failure, whilst the last Great Exhibition, has shown Sweden to excel in this lucrative industry. Yet Mr. llinks 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 show, that many of them require less heat than we can aflord them. However, both here, and in Europe, the greatest pare must be taken in planting vines, transported from another district, to preserve to them as much as possible, not only i\iQ fall degree of heat, requisite for the maturity of each variety, but also the soil, and aspect, to which they have been accustomed. Even then, and under every possible precaution, you will never obtain exactly the same flavour, which always diiiera materially in the same parish, with the same assortment of vines, in the same climate, aspect, and soil. I consider it 'perfectly impossible for the delicate descrip- tions of either European or native vine, to succeed upon the clay soils of Ciuciauati. 17 Messrs. Joigneau & Moreau declare in their valuable work vol. the 2nd, page 651, that " If you take choice vines ** from light soils, and plant thera in clay, you will obtain a " 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 a " great deal of acid, and very little sugar," and this will account for the quantities of sugar mixed with the wines 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 " Repeated and varied experience," that proves *' no European grape can come to perfection in this coun- *' try." To William Hutton, Esq., Bureau of Agriculture, Quebec. University College, TorontOy October the Ithy 1859 My dear Sir, I am very much obliged to you for the copy of Mr, Parker's letter, and am glad to find that an intelligent man of considerable practical experience, confirms my views as to the culture of the vine. The Clinton vine which he thinks hardest of all that are useful, is one of the varieties from the native species. It is probable however that with the system of close pruning, the Catawba and Isabella grapes, also of native origin and which are so much cultivated in Ohio, would flourish and yield valuable produce, but Mr. Parker confirms my view that trying the European grapes in this climate, would be useless Undoubtedly, Grape culture is a desirable branch of Industry to introduce, and successful enterprise in it deserves i; I 18 encouragement ; I only desire that M. do Courtenay should not through over conlider:co, 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 answers beet, 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. 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 bv. better still, 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. Dear Sir, very truly yours, WILLIAM HINKS. " 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 native vines — as the Catawba and " Isabella — they cannot cultivate the varieties esteemed in « Europe." Mr. Hinks commences by congratulating himself that Mr. Parker agrees with him. How far he does so in estinguishing may be judged from the following extract. Clair House, Cooksville, September 3rd, 1859. " The resources of Canada can never be developed " unless such men as M. De Courtenay meet with every en- 19 " couragement. His engagement is very fair, but difficult, " Canada covered with vines, would bo very different from " what Canada now is, and how many men have had grants " of land on which nothing has been done,but foiling 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 excesfi 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 repeated it, as flippantly as if " his tongue had been, by silver six pence split. n 20 CHAPTER V. ■H PRUNING, AND PLANTING, ill Pruning of any discription, and there are five hundred difierent methods, is by no means arbitrary . Both that, and the distance to be preserved between the plants — (and the former is always regulated by the later) — '* must depend altogether upon the nature of your climate, " the inclination of your laud, and the vigour of the vine you " propose to cultivate." De Gasperin, vol. 4th, page 666. As a general rule, you must keep your vines low in the North, and plant them at about two feet apart. As you approach tue South, you must allow your vines to rise^ and extend your distances as far as about eight yards. This practice is based upon the more or less vigour of the plant, which invariably increases as you proceed South, at least as far as extends the Southern limit of the vine region, which has been by the best authorities traced upon the 35th parallel. In our climate I plant in squaros of four yards distance, and prune accordingly, and find I have by no means over estimated the vigour of my plants. In Cincinnati, they imi- tate the feeble vigour of the extreme 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. 6 U 1 I i '; i* wmiw i 21 Iiaust confess that I feel myself incapable of in»'enting anything, and so far difier from what is vauntin;?ly termed. " The live Yankee " that I am penetrated with the con- viction, that ultimate success can only attend those, who consent humbly and respectfully, to follow in the paths of their betters. Ilad American experiments on Politics, and Vine cul- ture proved successful, the knowledge 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 vine culture consists in 'planting, and pruning, which can only be acquired by considerable practical experience. Independant of latitude, altitude, or the iiiclination 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 bear- ing abundant 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 onl}' from their horizontal branches, or "guirlandes," that you can hope to obtain an abundant fructification. The vigour of their vegetation, if allowea to ran wild, will expend itself in wood branches, and leaves. If kept low, and short, the same effects will be produced. Monsieur De Gasperin vol. 4th, page 667 exemplifies this dor'^rine in an interesting manner. " We made an ex- " periment upon a vine of Corinth, brought home from the " expedition of Morea in 1828. " Kept low during fourteen years, it produced only 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- ** ficient to make a Hectolitre (25 gallons) of wine." m IB, ! m m 22 I presume many persons in this country have reraarked even amongst the wild vines, that some prefer to '^Mmb 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 \ine8, (vitis viuifera) whose natural propensities have become fixed habits, from many centuries of judicious pruning. Those varieties therefore, that have long been preserved low, would wear themselves out immediately, and soon cease to be productive if allowed to rise, 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 th^ 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 vine as it proceeds south, makes it also absolutely necessary to allow a greater cube of earth, so that its roots may extend themselves, and absorb the degree of moisture required for its vegetation. 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. An isolated plant, blossoms, and ripens, long after those that are crowded together, and have therefore less vigour. The first ripe grapes, are never to be found on the borders of a vineyard, and old vines planted on poor soil, are considerably in advance of those, younger, and better manured. 23 These become, very important considerations in the ex- treme 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 equal 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- prove the quality. It need not either be necessary to proceed to the ex- treme 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 Vine Region — " the Sub Region of Maize/' CHAPTER VI. UN MINISTRE ETRANGER (A L' AGRICULTURE). In the good old times of real Burgundy, the small Pinot varieties of Grape, were principally used, only intermingled with some choice varieties of White Grapes. 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, jiil s! ( ■: it I fe- ll ■!■ !!(.f IM 1 *5* 24 from these circumstances, and from over manuring, those Vineyards that previously ripened their fruit in September, 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 reuUy fabulous. As far back as January 1395 there exists an ordonnance directed against such encroachments, by Philippe the Hardi, Duke of Burgundy, who, as tradition informs us, tooh. the question into his 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 expulse,? — fixed in the public Pillory— and condemned to have forfeited the right of carrying that emblem of virility, the Beard — which lenient sentence of the Hardy Phillipe, deponent sayeth — was confirmed by the public verdict, of " Served him right the, &c., &c." Be that as it may. The said Royal Duke, complains bitterly that important foreign personages came no longer, as in the past, to pro- vision themselves with the excellent Wines (the best in Christendom) of Baume, Poniard, 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 Wine 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. In the second place, the Duke Phillipe, denounces strong- ly, and vigorously, those persons who go about gathering — " Scrapings of Lanterns, and excrements " to place in the ' 25 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 malpractices, shall be fined the amount of " sixty sols,*' and the confiscation of all beasts of burden, and conveyances, that shall be sufficiently daring, to — " Mener, faire 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- perin is correct in asserting that the best wine is made where the greatest heat is concentrated, in the shortest season of ve- getation, and where there exists, the greatest contradts of temperature. Now, the season of vegetation in Burgundy Mr. De Qasperin informs us, varies from 168, to 174 days with an exceptional year at 162. Our season of vegetation varies from 136 to 150 days calculated (as in Burgundy for the grape) when the temperature rises to 12 centigrade and returns below that degree. 26 ■fl i \ 'i ■<■■ 1 Our amount of heat during a season of vegetation of 135 days ia far 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 possess, 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 winter8,'and apologising 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 unprofitable 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 rtmaoe from the European imagination that chill and shudder, ever asso- ciated with Canada, supposed to be only productive of snow, wood, and ice. The physical, moral, and social effect, 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, the antidote 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 necessity of the numan organisation. It awakes the forces of the sto- mach, excites the fibers of the brain, and exercises an action of radiation upon the entire nervous system, and the complicated vital functions, and appears to be a beverage indispensable to man — being that, which is the most easily ob- tained — and the most agreable, and most generally ap- 27 preciated, which is proved by the /ad of the exclusion of all others wiihin 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 (aa foreseen by Arthur Young) caused the French Revolution. 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 discription of merchandize, poor consumers are the most numerous. Unlike most other productions, it is by no means a de- fined substance, presenting everywhere ine same composition* For some, it is a delicate beverage, the merit of which consists in the odor, or " bouquet," — in thfe unctious and agreable savour, to the palate, much more, than in the more or less quantity of alcohol it contains. For others, it is only a spirit, more or less diluted, between these extremes, all 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 — (wichh 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 connaisseur, whose opinion will only be guided by either an acquired taste or the fashion of day. These qualities of so much value, may be obtained, by any one within the Wine Regions, but never in an infallible manner, and to a degree foreseen in advance. With the plants, soil, and aspect, of Clos-vougeot — Wine is made in the same district in no way resembling that of Clos- vougeot. A great number of questions present themselve to the Wine grower in a new country, where no agricultural ex- 28 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 to, or dependant upon, the success of so arduous an undertaking. , '\ :>;f CHAPTER VIII. CONCLUSION, ^ IV: An important duty compels me to explain to my friends, the progress of an 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 thwart my eflbrts towards tV.e advancement of a question that must inevitably, and at no distant period, become a dominant one, in this Province. In soliciting 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. Yet, I have been taxed, with "exorbitant pretentions " r.h 29 and " chimerical views " by men, who are unable to confute my theories — deny the facts 1 have practically established, — or comprehend the motives that actuate or the sentimeuta that animate me. I shall continue however, as far it lays 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 influence upon the future prosperity of this country. In the mean time, I can assure my friends and those enlightened men, who from superior intelligence, or educa- tion, have been able at a glance to appreciate the importance of my views — that, nothing can be more refreshing, and en- couraging, to a man of profound convictions, than the coun- tenance of those he admires, and respects, unless indeed, to that may be adjoined, " the hate he disdains." rgu- ired tiOQ ie a jver ^een juc- My limited space prevents me also from passing in re- view, the numerous Agricultural failures, and worthless experiments, that have been made upon this continent, and while fully appreciating the spirited, although unsuccessful efforts of many, who depended upon circumstances beyond their control. — I must deplore the effects of 8U3h groping, and blundering, and regret the consequences naturally so prejudicial to the general welfare. 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 extreem caution, and reserve, ever attendant upon such superior acquirements— Should allow themselves to be drawn beyond the extended limits, of their manifold and im- portant attributions, in order to become the instruments of their inferiors — and to exhibit the contrast, existing between pretentions to " universal knowledge "—and to claims less presumptive, and more admissible. T ■% i iii. 30 I have no object in reproducing Professor Ilink's letters upon the Silk question — or the details of my satisfactory experiments upon that 8ubject,a8 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 have mistaken for a second growth of Basswood, a species of Wild Mulberry — the leaves of which, have been accepted 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 confute. It may easily be understood to be absurd, and impossible to expect, at that period — without the advantage of practical experiments in my favour, that my theories would be tole- rated, when opposed to the decision of a recognised authority, a University Professor. I therefore applied myself to make wine and to demon- strate in a practical manner, that our " native species '' was a true vine. The " vitis vinifera " or vine producing grape vine, and 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. I cannot presume to say here, all that flows from heart and brain, respecting that amiable and accomplished gentle- man, and diligent 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 considerable interest in the matter, y L 31 ter. and exorcised hia inflnonco with the Ilonorahlo Mr. Sicottc, who in his turn, after a very patient and minute en(|niry assured mo that lie wouhl jE^rant me every assistance in hid power, and that I shoukl bo allowed a thousand doMars 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 T shouhi receive in September that sum.y 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." v 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 exisU and can, in no manner, be oftensive to those gentlemen, who upon each side of the Parliamentary benches, have conscien- tious duties to perform, — As alternatively they occupy, either the responsible Position of "Advisers of the Crown," or of "Her Majesty's Opposition." linger 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- i ' U ' 84 " production. You should consider a certain balance in the ** proportion of plants, so that in table Wines the quantitf/ " 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 onli/ neces- " sary to calculate the taste required, but also the degree of " color preferable to consumers. " The cultivated Wild Grape that produced the samples submitted for your examination, flowered on the 3rd of June, colured on the 1st of August, and was ripe on the 28th of September. In Burgundy, the Vine flowers on the 11th of June, colors on the 15th of August, and ripenp 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 mathematical 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 posses much more than 3000 degrees (centigrade), and I have based my theories. Ist On the fact th&t all 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. 2nd. On the othev fact that the only aromatic Wines in Europe are grown north of the 45th decree of latitude, and on the principle recognized by the Count de Gasperin, Vol. 4, page 637, that the best Wines are produced where the season 35 of vegetation is the shortest, and where there exist 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 honor to deck-e myself, The very Respectful and Obedient Servant, J. M. Db COURTENAY. 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 : — Quebec, January the 27th, 1863. The Honorable Louis Victor Sicotte, Premier for LoiJer Canada, ^c, ^c, {"'- ^stomed to treat the Rhen- ish vines of their own northern t 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. De COURTENAY. i I 1 i I ; I 6t ■ ', Since then, the question has been under the considera- tion of the Honorable Premier for Lower Canada, who will have occasion lo 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 assibtance, are based upon the principle that production of good wine in a new country can be obtained by " Agricultural experi>3nce alone " and experience of every discription, has to be paid for, and unfortunately, with difficulty can be otherwise ob- tained. • Pliny, Book 14, cap. 6. 39 Should my views be correct, the sooner they become public property, and are propagated, the sooner individuals, and the country in general, will enjoy the advantages to be derived. When the Honorable gentleman who is charged with the development 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 discription 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 right^ 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 faots " proclaimed " un fait accompli," and that the only question remaining to be decided, was the manner, and rapidity of the development 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 willful 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 commeiicenieut been convinced, that exception could not be made, in my own particular case, to a rule so universal, I clieert'iiUy acce[)te(l, what 1 could no^ avoid, and what it must liavo been willful blindness not to have foreseen. These reflections recall to my memory a description of the efforts of I'anuentier, to introduce the potatoe into ! .1 40 France, publislied by me last autumn, in the Journal de Quebec. 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 Kepresentation 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. I i »■ i. FARMENTIER. It was in 1565 that Captain John Ilaukins 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 to 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 Eevo- lution, which perhaps was caubed 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 41 samples imported from Virginia, wbere formerly they had been propagated by Drake. It was, however, only towards the decline of the 18th century, that they succeeded in France, and then thanks to the tenacity of a man, whose name in consequence, has merited celebrity. Indeed it would be difficult 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 >.'!th 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. Grieved 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, which he covered with potatoes that succeeded admirably, and when ripe, he caused them, during the dai/, 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 i '1! ' 'J .Ii ■ I 'lit i ■> 42 foand, the envious, malicious, and ignorant, who by instinct, are the obstacles to every public good. As the Almighty has created nothing without an object, we must presume that this disgusting class of bilious, ve- nomous humanity, have like toads, serpents, scorpions, some Ignoble destiny to fulfill ; Perhaps ordained as contrasts, Perhaps as punishment for us, or them. None 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 occurred, like those, when Cholera first came to Europe, and villains spread abroad, that fountains, bread, and vegetables, were poisoned to destroy. Parmentier fled, to gave his life, but the two famines, that followed so soon upon, the bloody Revolution of that " Age ot 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- tike." 4S .A.PPEIVI3IX:, AOBICULTTTRAL BEOIONS. Agricultural Regions upon the surface of the globe, are governed by certain laws. Some, inherent to the nature of the soil and climate, are invariable. Others, on the contrary, depend upon the progress of civilization, the distribution of population, and other varia- ble causes. They may be all classed within four limits : Ist — Meteorological, 2nd — ^Economical, 3rd — Statistical, 4th — Agricultural. The Meteorological limit may be established 1st. By the temperature of the atmosphere and the soil, under the influence of solar heat, during the season of vege- tation of each plant. 2nd By the Hygrometric state of the atmosphere, the frequency and direction of the winds, and the moisture of the earth during each season. 3rd The temperature of the atmosphere and soil, during the winter. ECONOMICAL. Economical limits depend upon extremely complicated calculations, the basis of which may be considered as : m > ft ! « ' '.? M:r 44 Ist The quantity and quality of possible production, in the pituation under consideration. 2nd The prices to be expected in the home market for such productions. 3rd The expense of such cultures. The results of a comparison between the above consi- derations, have a tendency to extend, or contract the limits of the cultivation of such plants, either beyond, or within the bounderies of their natural limits. Excellent wine was formerly produced in abundance in the neighbourhood of Paris, economical considerations have caused its culture there to become extremely limited. In Belgium, on the contrary, the Custom House duties have caused the extention of wine and silk culture, beyond their rational limits. In Lower Canada, the facilities of water communication with the "West, are an economical limit to the extensive pro- duction of grain or maize, and in self defence we are bound to meet such changes, by providing other agricultural pro- ductions, and by obtaining a substitute for the grain culture, that was formerly the wealth of our fiat lands. Hemp should be the great staple commodity of such lands, not only from its peculiar adaptation, and great value, but also from its tendency to improve the general system of agriculture, in those countries where it has been cultivated with success. The great secret of popularity, of the Bonaparte family in Italy, is that the rich plains of Central Italy, owe their incalculable wealth, to the introduction of Hemp cul- ture by the First Consul, who never did things by halves. Had we taken the trouble to examine the means em- ployed by the Great Emperor, we should long since have endowed the Province with this source of immense prospe- rity, but notwithstanding some more talk about it, the in- troduction appears now as far oft' as ever. I have in the Journal de QuSbec treated in detail the importance of Hemp, and the absurdity of Fine Flax culture 46 in Lower Canada, and shall on a future occasion, return to this important question, more fully, and in English, for ex- planations in French, at present, would be as profitably ad- dressed to that Grand Agricultural Mandarin — Fiche-Tong- Cang. STATISTICAL. Statistical limits are dependant upon the distribution of population. It has by Mr. de Gasparin been calculated, that it re- quires the labor of two persons to produce 250 lbs. of raw silk. The real labor of such production does not extend over the space of a week, beinsj the last of the five, comprising the ephemeral existence of the Silk worm. The "Department of Gard " France "producing more than five million pounds of raw silk" (2.700.000 kilogram- mes), must employ more than half of its population above the age of twelve years, during the /asi week of such production. The statistical limit of silk culture, may therefore be fixed, by the amount of population capable of being employed in such production, during one week of the year. The extreme brevity of this season of labor, would facilitate its introduction into Lower Canada, where it would interfere with no important agricultural occupation. As to Vine culture, a Vigneron would supply the wants of an entire parish, as far as local consumption may be con- cerned, and the French population would return by instinct, and with avidity to their ancient beverage. AGRICULTURAL. Agricultural limits are marked principally by the tenure of land. Were you to propose the cultivation of the Vine, the Mulberry, or the Wallaut, to farmers holding short leases, (the groatest curse of a country whether applied to land or water) you would only be answered by ridicule. 46 i ^ i'^ii] I ' ■n >r: 1 r '! Even small proprietors, who must exist upon the an- nual produce of their land, will not dare to make expe- riments, except upon mature reflection, and having the example of success before their eyes. Agricultural reforms therefore, must depend altogether upon the tenure of the soil, which after all, is the only regulator of its wealth. It will be diflficult to develop the Agricultural resources of a country without the assistance of wealthy landed pro- prietors, who can only be created by means of entail. Nothing is more true than the old french proverb : " Tolle triable, telle bete. " " Tant vaut rhomme, tant vaut la tcrrc. " No doubt many acquirements, and great energy are ne- cessary, in order to carry out large projects of agricultural reform. I presume the time may not be far distant, when it will become generally admitted, that upon the intelligent and zealous exertions of the Bureau of Agriculture, must depend our best prospects of immediate prosperity, and future greatness. Under such circumstances a complete reorganization of the Bureau would become indispensable, so that the position of Minister of Agriculture should be sought after, by oi^r most able men, of both sections of the Province. A short act of Parliament, authorising the Commissio- ner of Crown Lands to dispose of any amount of Land (for cash payments, to be applied to Roads upon said land,) under guarantee of entail, would introduce millions of foreign capital into the country. An appeal to foreign capitalists by such men, and under such circumstances would undoubedly create a sensation in Europe, and be attended (for the Province) \7ith most advan- tageous results. an- 47 The liberty, equality, and menJieity system, has been tried, and found wanting. If the one I propose, afFocts so mony nervous susceptibilities, let a betler one be laid before the public and the country. THE WINE REGION. METEOROLOGICAL LIMITS. The limits imposed upon all cultures, must naturally affect in a very remarkable manner, the important, and high- ly valuable ones, I have endeavoured to bring before public attention. I have shown, I hope, that we are within all the variable limits previously described. And I presume I have proved, as far as can be rea- sonably expected, from the limited space I have occupied, that we are/ar within the circle of the most important of all limits, because the natural, and unvariable one, — that which has been ordained by our Creator. In order to explain with any degree of lucidity, the limits assigned to that Region termed "of the Vine" but which includes so many others of great value and impor- tance, I must compare two distinct climates. The one decidedly within, the other absolutely without, the limits in question. I shall therefore establish the comparison between Paris, and Brussels. In the first of these situations, Wine culture has been successful. In the last, it has never been able to succeed. 48 PARIS. M H h t I i! Atmospheiic Heat during the season of vegetation.. 1925.67 Solar Heat " " " 751.00 Total Heat, 2676.67 This appears the lowest degree of heat required for the cul- tivation of Wine. At Brussels the thermometer descends below 12° cen- tigrade, as in Paris, by the 1st of October, and I &Df\ it possesses up to that period — BRUSSELS. Atmospheric Heat, 1914.02 Solar Heat, 619.00 Total Heat, 2533.02 Thus a simple difterence of 144 degrees of heat, separates the region, where the culture of the Vine is possible, from that where it is not so. Ten days more of heat, added to the climate of Brussels, and the Vine could ripen its fruit. Ten days more of Heat added to the climate of the South of France, and cotton could there be successfully cultivated. And thus may every where be distinguished the limits of agricultural climates, of which Monsieur de Humbolt has attempted to furnish a classification, by MAXIMUM TEMFERATTJSE. Cacao 29° to 23° Indigo 28° " 22° Banana 28° " 18° Sugar cane 28° " 22° Coffee ,....27° " 18° Cotton 28° " 20° Dates 23° " 21° 49 Citrons " " 17° absolute minimum 7°-5 Olives 19° " 13° " " 6°-5 Chessnut " « 9° Vine *27° " 20° with one month at 19° Wheat 25° " 15° " " " " 10° to 12° Barley " " 11° " " " " 8° " 9° No one has more felt than the author himself, how in- sufficient a proof can be affi)rded by a maximum of tempe- rature. In calculating the temperature of a country, we must not forget that the slopes of hills of a southern aspect trans- port such situations to a more meridional latitude. The heat of the Sun is in proportion to the number of its rays that strike a planer and proportionally to the sinus of its angle of incidence. Before arriving at the earth, the solar rays traverse the atmosphere, and a part (about a fourth of the calorific) are absorbed by the air, and the vapors that enter into its com- position. It is according to the density of these vapors that the Caloric Rays penetrate to the surface of the earth, and their density, quantity, and state of dissolution, renders them an element most variable, according to the period of the year, or of the day, and indeed dependant upon nume- rous causes, scarcely appreciable. The air becomes less saturated as the temperature of the day increases, and " vice versa," which will enable us to calculate the extinction of light, or heat, produced by a re- lative humidity of atmosphere. From the zenith, each degree i,hat removes the Sun from the vertical position, augments the angle of inclina- tion, and consequently diminishes its calorific power. Its angles with an inclined plane, will be the same as those it * 9° less than Maximum of Montreal. O : 60 would make with a country, whose horizon would be paral- lel to the same plane. Suppose the ground inclined to the south, its plane would be parallel to the horizon of a more meridional latitude. If to the North, to a more septentrional one, to the East, its latitude will not vary, but it will find its parallel with an oriental longitude. To the West, with an Occidental Longitude. In the intermediate positions, a south east inclination for example, it will change both its latitude, and longitude. Thus, the effect of each inclination will be, if north or south, to transport the position to another climate. If east or west, to change the hours of the day, when the heat will be the greatest. A slope exposed to the south, with an inclination of 25 degrees, and in latitude 45, at the " Solstice " will obtain its Rays at right angles, the solar heat being there- fore 27-72, and the atmospheric 27-8 will produce a heat of 65-6 degrees. SOLAR HEAT. I i 'li I desire to explain, for the benefit of those who may not be conversant with agricultural calculations, the meaning of Solar Heat, which differs essentially from the atmospheric heat, daily represented by a given thermometrical figure, giving the heat of the air, a transparent body, that only absorbs about a fourth of the Solar Rays, in their passage through it, and which arrives afterwards on the earth, and upon plants, who absorb in their turn, a much greater part. Solar Heat therefore, is a question of immense impor- tance, as a'^ element exercising considerable influence upon all vegetation, and very materially upon the classification of Agricultural climates, according to its power of action, either from the absence, or abundance of Opaque Vapors, 51 interposing themselves between the sun and the earth, or from the inclination and exposition of the soil, or from any other shelter, that may reflect, or intercept the Solar Rays. As the effect is often altogether local, scientific men had lonpj neglected its application, but they have now perceived the enormous influence it exercises upon tha march of vegetation, and Monsieur de Humbolt has never ceased to recall the necessity of studying its effects, in order to be enabled to judge with any accuracy upon the compa- rative maturity of plants. Monsieur de Gasperin after seventeen years of obser- vations at his residence near Orange (South of France), gives the following calculations on the spring season in that climate. Atmospheric Heat. Solar Heat. Difference. 12°-0 18°-6 6°-6 In the hopes of having been so fortunate as to convey in such limited space, a perception of those principles upon which I have founded my convictions, respecting tie extra- ordinary value of our exceptional climate, I prfisume I can not more appropriately conclude, than by insei under the undoubted authority of Lieut. Ashe, R. N. F. R. S. an oflicial statement, of the Atmospheric Heat of our cliuiate, in this City. 52 ill [:■ 'i 1 1 . Table of Max. and Min. Temperatures^ Extracted from the Meteorological Obs. made at the Observatory in Quebec Gtadel—BY Lieut. Ashe, R. K.— F. R. S. MONTH. From 15tli to Slat 1 May J Jnne July., August. September From Ist to 15th 1 October J 1861. Mean. Max. F. o 62.1 73.3 74.9 72.6 63.T 53.1 C. o 16.7 23.0 23.8 22.6 17.6 11.7 Mean. Min, F. 0. o 45.0 51.9 58.5 55.8 50.0 42.3 o 7.2 11.0 14.7 13.2 10.0 5.7 1862. Mean. Max. F. o 68.4 75.7 73.4 74.0 68.8 59.0 o 20.2 24.3 23.0 23.3 20,4 15.0 Mean. Min. F. o 44.6 53.4 55.8 56.5 49.4 43.2 C. o 7.0 11.9 13.2 13.6 9.7 6.2 Note. The Column F. is Fahrenheit Scale. " « C. is Centigrade " The difference between the Scales may be expressed thus C = I (F— 32°) Total Atmospheric Heat for 1861.— 3079°— 3 Centigrade. " " 1862.-3294—8 « a (( 53 These calculations therefore demonstrate, that we have enjoyed during the season of vegetation in the year 1861. Atmospheric Heat 3079-3 Solar Heat 1026-4 Total 4105-7 And for the year 1862. Atmospheric Heat 3294-3 Solar Heat 1098-1 Total 4392-4 And Mr. Ashe authorised me to state, that the Atmos- pheric Heat at the citadel, was some hundred degrees beneath the ordinary temperature of the climate. Such facts require no comment. They prove our climate to be, in the center of— ^ Wine Region, M' •i if ^="1 ^ i ■ : i iA PREMIERE VIGNE CtTLTIV^E DtT BAS-CANADA. Ire— Victoria Regina, Raisins pourpres, Grains ronds, Sue Rose. 26me — La Reine Hortense, rouge " « " Rose. 3eme — La viscomtesse Monck, noir " « " Rouge. 46me— Magenta noir velout^ " « " Rouge sang. 56me — La croix de Savoie Wane " « « Blanc. Et deux autres vari^t^es non encore classics. i^ f^_ INDEX. Chapter I— Our Position.. 3 " II— The Wealth of Heat 7 " III— An Institution " IV— A Professor 13 " V— Planting and Pruning 22 Vl—Un ministre stranger (k I'agriculture) 25 « Vll-Wine 27 " Vill— Conclusion 30 Appendix 42 ■f r* 'p' ■iiminiiin if ! (i. " s « u 1 0) c >i a •o 0) 0) •5 ^ •^ , a tJO rd ^ o 4-> •0 w^ •V TO 4-) • r«H s .9 • 1-4 TS a • •-« T3 5^ •4^ TO 60 EH O4 03 09 d a 2 t-H .s S3 Cm O o > a n3 a a c2 53 C3 et B a • 1.4 TO a u & M > o 13 'J 0) .2 -TS • d v 1—4 o 1 PL, O o rd 4-> Cm a a l-H > O a a O S3 O ^4 TO •4^ 4) CfH d TO .3 u 1 TO t> 0) TO PL. rd Ph a 6 a •r* J1 TO u TO 13 .4^ TO P4 n3 0. a d d o a ^ -4^ *3 d TO > o a 3 e o OJ •T3 .■a -^ a 05 a tc .2 '■+3 d a 03 ci5 a> a ID a V d TO EH d d d •1-4 rd Eh o d ^ C • p-4 d U c? 1—4 ri4 ..i^ fs •TS S3 o . < ^ PE(