Husmann, George
The cultivation of the native grape and manufacture of American wines
1866, New York, Woodward
First Edition
Issued in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War and dedicated "To the Grape Growers of 'Our Country, One and Indivisible,'", this work belongs to the formative phase of American wine literature. Husmann emerges as a central figure in this context, not only as the author of the present manual, but as a key agent in the broader development of viticulture in the United States and beyond. He is notably associated with the introduction of phylloxera-resistant American rootstocks into France, a contribution of lasting consequence. His civic engagement is equally of note, as he took part in the drafting of Missouri's 1865 Ordinance Abolishing Slavery.
The work offers a comprehensive treatment of grape varieties, viticulture, and winemaking, complemented by statistical guidance for the establishment of vineyards and the estimation of yields, with particular attention to varieties such as Catawba and Concord. Its emphasis on native and hybrid grapes reflects a distinctly American vision of viticulture, articulated at a moment prior to the predominance of European vinifera. Cultivation is explained from planting to trellising, while vinification and varietal analysis are treated with notable precision. The volume includes 13 full-page grape illustrations and numerous in-text engravings depicting grape varieties and winemaking apparatus. It also records the contemporary controversy surrounding the Norton's Virginia grape, debated by Nicholas Longworth. At the end, eight unnumbered leaves contain editorial advertisements for works on agriculture, horticulture, architecture, and rural economy.
Ampelography meets Americana in this richly illustrated ode to native grapes and frontier winegrowing, an oenological origin myth in print.
Pp. [2] f.e., viii, 9-192, [8], [2] r.e.
Original brown cloth binding, with gilt titling and small decorative elements on the spine; brown endpapers. Some discoloration and wear, more pronounced at the spine. The front endpaper bears annotations in two distinct hands, likely ownership marks. Overall, a good copy.
Dimensions (inches): 7 1/2 x 5 x 3/4
George Husmann (1827–1902), German-American vintner and writer; pioneer of U.S. grape cultivation and wine literature.
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