SPOONER, Alden.

£1,975 · Offered by Peter Harrington · No longer available

The Cultivation of American Grape Vines, and Making of Wine. First edition. The early 19th century saw increased interest in viticulture in New York; this treatise describes the cultivation of the American Isabella grape varietal. "In his capacity as a prominent journalist, Spooner did much to popularize the culture of grapes and wine in the New York area and beyond" (Figiel, p. 19).The city's grape cultivation was spearheaded by the Linnaean Botanic Gardens, a commercial nursery owned by the Prince family. Inspired by their experiments with both imported and native varietals, Spooner (1783-1848) - the editor of the Long Island Star - planted around 50 French and German vines in what later became Prospect Park. However, the majority of the plants were soon felled by diseases not encountered in Europe, with the only surviving varietal being the South-Carolinian Isabella. From this, Spooner succeeded in producing his first barrel of wine in 1831. He here encourages further experimental growing of specifically American grapes.

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