90 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



rich, warm and friable, so that the tender roots can penetrate 

 it easily. 



All writers on the grape, concur in giving the first place to a 

 south aspect. A gentle slope, sheltered from the north and 

 east winds, and on which the sun darts his genial rays during 

 the whole day, warming the earth to a good depth, and bathing 

 the plants in light from morn till night, is undoubtedly the 

 best. In such a situation the plants receive a larger share of 

 light and heat than in any other ; and light and heat are the 

 great essentials in the successful culture of the grape. The 

 vine will succeed well, however, in any aspect from east to west, 

 but always the best where the sun warms the earth to the 

 greatest depth ; a south-west aspect will be better than a south- 

 east, and a west better than an east, because the sun lays upon 

 it in the latter part of the day, and in the autumn, when the 

 grapes are ripening, this afternoon sun is of great service. We 

 do not, however, always have choice of aspect ; but we may 

 cultivate the grape successfully in any aspect, from west to east, 

 preferring first the south, next south-west, next south-east, 

 next west, lastly east. 



The season in Massachusetts is too short for the Catawba, 

 Isabella, and many other varieties of grapes, to mature their 

 fruits, except in the most favorable situations, as against a 

 house, or upon the south side of close fences. It is also full of 

 vicissitudes, the thermometer frequently indicating fifty degrees 

 of variation in twenty-four hours. Cold and wet are alternated 

 with heat and drought. It requires a robust and vigorous 

 habit on the part of the vine to resist such changes, and it is 

 doubtful if it is worth while to waste time and money upon the 

 tender varieties of the vine in such a climate. 



Amateurs may indulge in such expense ; let us honor them for 

 it. They try all new plants, though the majority of them will 

 prove worthless, as they well know, but they draw some prizes, 

 and are liberal in taking the venture. Such men founded the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society, which has done excellent 

 service in promoting the science of horticulture in the State ; 

 and to such men we are indebted for the improvement in our 

 cattle and our modes of husbandry, which add so largely to 

 the wealth of our people. Perhaps more valuable seedling 

 fruits have been produced in Massachusetts than in any other 



