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Front Royal Va. Decemb. 18. 1867

Jno. B. Minor Esq.

Dear Sir,

Your favour of the 16th inst
covering several interrogatories upon the subject of grape [cultivation?]
was recd by mail of yesterday evening; and I take pleasure in responding
to the same as fully as my information upon that interest will allow.
Let one premise, by informing you that I am comparatively a new
beginner, and as yet have but a small patch, not deserving the name
of vineyard - My relative M. B. Buck Esq. who resides within a few miles
of this place has given much attention to the grape, and now has some 30 or
more acres devoted to them - and is preparing for enlarging his plantings.
A letter addressed to him, would receive his attention, and his opinions, being
more practical than mine, would be more valuable, and you might impli-
citly rely upon his statements - I take the liberty of sending you one of his
cards.-

For marketing - or selling by weight in boxes or bunches. I would name
the Concord, Hailford Prolific, [Catawba] & Ives - The roots of each
can be had at prices ranging from $250.00 to $300.00 pr thousand.

For Wine - Ives, Norton's Virginia, [Catawba] Delaware, Diana, Iowa,

There are many other varieties, which are recommended by their res-
pective friends, and are no doubt good grapes - but as yet, have not been
tested in our locality - The [Catawba, Ives, ] Concord, Norton's Va. have pro-
ven themselves - The Delaware which in one of the most popular grapes
for the table as well as for Wine - has not done so well here as some of the
others - It is a delicious grape, but considered tender & a delicate [bearer].

More attention is now being given to the Concords, Ives, [Catawabas?] &
Nortons Virginia - These are good enough for our purposes - The Iowa
may be added to the list, though as yet that grape has not fruited here.

Front Royal Va. Decemb. 18. 1867

Jno. B. Minor Esq.

Dear Sir,

Your favour of the 16th inst
covering several interrogatories upon the subject of grape [cultivation?]
was recd by mail of yesterday evening; and I take pleasure in responding
to the same as fully as my information upon that interest will allow.
Let one premise, by informing you that I am comparatively a new
beginner, and as yet have but a small patch, not deserving the name
of vineyard - My relative M. B. Buck Esq. who resides within a few miles
of this place has given much attention to the grape, and now has some 30 or
more acres devoted to them - and is preparing for enlarging his plantings.
A letter addressed to him, would receive his attention, and his opinions, being
more practical than mine, would be more valuable, and you might impli-
citly rely upon his statements - I take the liberty of sending you one of his
cards.-

For marketing - or selling by weight in boxes or bunches. I would name
the Concord, Hailford Prolific, [Catawba] & Ives - The roots of each
can be had at prices ranging from $250.00 to $300.00 pr thousand.

For Wine - Ives, Norton's Virginia, [Catawba] Delaware, Diana, Iowa,

There are many other varieties, which are recommended by their res-
pective friends, and are no doubt good grapes - but as yet, have not been
tested in our locality - The [Catawba, Ives, ] Concord, Norton's Va. have pro-
ven themselves - The Delaware which in one of the most popular grapes
for the table as well as for Wine - has not done so well here as some of the
others - It is a delicious grape, but considered tender & a delicate [bearer].

More attention is now being given to the Concords, Ives, [Catawabas?] &
Nortons Virginia - These are good enough for our purposes - The Iowa
may be added to the list, though as yet that grape has not fruited here.