STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 177 



10. A valuable sort obtained by such means, and having the 

 early maturity of the Golden Chasselas; or a sort ripening as 

 early as the Black July, for the more northern grape growing 

 region, would constitute a most valuable acquisition to our 

 country. With such varieties we might cultivate the grape, if 

 not cheaply, yet at least with a certain degree of success, from 

 42^ to 44^ north lat., while farther south it might be produced 

 in cheap abundance. 



11. I will risk a conjecture on the probable future success of 

 grape culture in the northern States, north of 42°, excepting that 

 portion which lies immediately south of lakes Ontario and Erie. 



It is admitted that the wild grape grows freely over most of 

 tliis section of the Union, but we are not thence to infer that val- 

 uable cultivated sorts, brought under the ordinary regimen of 

 garden cultui-e, would flourish permanently. 



a. The wild grape, in its native vales, and at the foot of hills, 

 finds usually a choice soil, where it grows without culture, while 

 its roots are usually mulched with grass, the falling leaves and 

 branches produced by itself and the neighboring trees. From its 

 position, in a deep and usually loamy soil, or near some stream, 

 it is protected against extreme drought. Not being cultivated, it 

 does not usually germinate until all danger of spring frosts is 

 past; while, for the same reason, it does not protract its growth 

 into the extreme autumn. The integrity of its structure is not 

 interfered with by the pruning knife. Thus situated, it bears 

 moderate and often large crops of fruit annually. As fearing 

 frost it seems allied to tropical vegetation, yet it is, in eftect, a 

 hardy vine. Our forests present many such vines, densely cover- 

 ing the tops of tall forest trees, or covering many rods square of 

 lower shrubs. Many of these vines are apparently hundreds of 

 years old, — a proof that adequate provision is made in the char- 

 acter of the soil about them for long life. 



h. Now let us transfer a cutting or layer of such a grape into 

 our gardens. Make the soil about it artificial and rich. Culti- 

 vate it deeply and early, and continually through the season, 

 forcing it into an early development, and ]>rotracting its autumnal 

 growth. Let the sun blaze about its roots unprotected by any 

 sheathing of the soil. Destroy the natural balance between the 



[Ag. Trans. J L 



