Name/Title
LetterEntry/Object ID
Q2022.21.51Scope and Content
Copy of a letter, on onion skin paper, from Wilbur P. McDonald, M. D., to Mr. Richard Altman, Rock Port, Mo., dated March 30, 1962. The letters COPY in red ink are down the left hand side of the paper. Secondly, a three-page reply from Mr. Altman on letterhead in green ink containing his name, phone, and city/state. In addition, the top left hand corner reads:
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Dear Mr. Altman:
It is my understanding that several years back you were interested in viniculture and viticulture, raising a number of varieties of grapes here in northwest Missouri. For the past 7 years this has been my hobby and to date I have not been very successful as I did not have the adequate space for a vineyard. Adequate space has been obtained this spring and I would appreciate any suggestions regarding your experience.
Sincerely
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Dr. McDonald:
I am glad to learn that there is a kindred spirit in Northwest Missouri; . . . . has advantages over collecting art, antique cars or campaign buttons. Seriously. it is a fine work, . . . , and is a complete escape from the life that Thoreau calls "quiet desperation."
At one time I had 128 varieties growing on my farm; . . . , but since I was on the editorial staff of the News-Press, I didn't have the time to do grape growing. . . . As a consequence, I took most of them out. Now I have started a new varietal vineyard.
Apparently Rock Port is at the extreme northern edge of the normal habitat of many of the varieties. . . . the new Geneva grapes take our winter here very well, . . . , most of the Munson grapes are too tender for our rough winters; they might get by near St. Joseph.
First, perhaps a rambling discussion about the varieties that I have grown here might be helpful to you.
I am certain every vineyard should have some Delaware. . . . . This grape is perfectly hardy here, grows a good crop of small-bunch, small-berried grapes . . . They also make a good wine, and are the base of many of the eastern white wines.
Catawba, . . . is too tender for Rock Port . . .It is a late grape, . . . , but makes a solid wine and is a fair out-of-hand grape. If I were you, I'd try a few of them . . . for their glorious history.
Niagara is a white early variety . . . , one of which is Ontario. Ontario is really early, has large, sweet berries,. . . is appreciated. Seneca . . . is tender at Rock Port but might do well in St. Joseph; . . . does fairly well at Wathena.
. . . Van Buren, . . did nothing for me, . . . its quality is rather low and it ripens unevenly, . . .
In the medium early class are several that warrant attention, Buffalo, . . good grape, . . good flavor, bears heavy crops, and is hardy at Rock Port. My first choice . . . would be Fredonia; . . . has some trouble with black rot, but an adequate spray program, . . . will reward you with beautiful bunches if good eating grapes. Brighton, . . . not as heavy a bearer as Fredonia, . . . but its worth growing.
Now for some of the really old varieties . . .
Agawam, . . . is a good table grape and has a pleasant historical background. It ripens shortly after Concord.
Bacchus and Clinton are dry wine varieties, and if you are interested in wine making, both would interest you. . . . . Dutchess, . . . somewhat difficult to grow. Elvira, . . . Grein Golden,. . . Ideal, . . . You might try Iona if any plants are available. . . . Norton, . . . is well worth your attention . . . plant one vine of Wyoming.
As for grape reading, the No. 1 book is . . . "The Grapes of New York." . . . . I also find Philip Wagner's "A Wine-grower's Guide" entertaining and informative. Julian Street's "Wines" is a fine supplement . . . Several of T. V. Munson's books, . . . give you a good insight into the man and his work.
As . . ., I am starting a new vineyard, I use two wires, the top one anywhere between 5-6 and 6 feet high, and the other at least 3 feet off the ground. My soil is wind-blown, . . . is fertile enough for all grapes. One problem is cultivation -- . . . i have tried mulch but it is not practical; sod mulch brings a decided drop in production. . . using a power mower to keep down weeds and am doing no cultivation except around the vines the first two years.
Successful pruning depends ion the variety and the rate of growth on my soil; . . . . A man who can give you much valuable information . . . is Erwin Abmeyer, . . . . a fine person, . . . and is willing to give amateurs a lot of his time.
Ab is trying the Munson trellis, . . . He also has quite a collection of the French direct producers and it is a revelation to visit his variety vineyard at fruiting time.
For a number of years I visited the Geneva, N. Y. experiment station regularly, . . . The New York Fruit Testing Association, . . . sells good planting stock.
If you are interested in our native grape species, you will find a surprisingly large number in the woodlands along the Missouri River. . . . there are a number of accidental imports, and occasionally you will find a hybrid that came from some nearby grape planting. . . .
There are two other places in Missouri that I recommend for their patience with amateurs and an inborn love of grapes. . . . a professor of horticulture at the Missouri college of agriculture; H. G. Swartwout, . . . The other is the state fruit experiment station at Mountain Grove, . . . . .
I have a feeling that most of this rambling is already known by you, . . . . you have chosen one of the finest avocations available , . . .
If you get near Rock Port, I'd appreciate your stopping for a visit and a look at the new vineyard; we have a modest selection of wines that we can investigate.
Sincerely,Lexicon
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8.5" x 11"
