The Cultivation of American Grape Vines, and Making of Wine. by Spooner, Alden - 1846

Brooklyn: A. Spooner & Co., 1846. Scarce first edition of this early tract on American grape growing & wine-making. Vermont-born, Spooner was a printer & editor in Long Island before establishing himself in Brooklyn around 1811, where he was active in building up the city; he was also involved in local politics and a Colonel in the county militia. After some failures in land speculation, he returned his attention to publishing. Here he relates his experiences in growing grapes, mostly of the Isabella and Catawba varieties, and of making wine, along with other information on grape varieties & cultivation. Spooner was well-enough known for his work with the Isabella variety, then popular in Long Island (and for a half-century or so, until superseded by the Concord), that he was asked for an article for The Cultivator, an Albany paper, which Spooner reprinted in his own paper in 1838. With demand for the information persisting, he published this small book on his experiences. Spooner died suddenly in 1848 at the age of 65, and the book was not reprinted until 1858. Includes a brief history of grape vines, various methods of propagation (Spooner actively distributed his Isabella cuttings in the area), pruning & training, planting & transplanting, manuring, forcing in hot-houses, pests & blights, vineyard culture; wine making with grapes and with currants, vine varieties grown in New York, other uses of the grape. Small hardcover, as pictured. General wear, some stains to covers, head of spine frayed, corners bumped; damage (short tears & creases) to the lower inner edge of pages 75-88, with some loss of paper but no text; paper foxed, penciled word/name "God" (maybe?) inside front cover. Text otherwise clean; 96 pages; glossary, a few small figures.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Good/No Jacket. Small Duodecimo.