18 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



FRUIT-CULTURE. 



{Continued from ^mge 382 0/ 1868.) 

 THE VINE. 



There is perliaps no plant the culture of which occupies so much of 

 the attention of horticultural writers as the Vine. The soil in which 

 it grows, the air in which it breathes, the system of training that 

 should be adopted, whether its roots should have artificial heat or not, 

 and many other questions connected with its culture, are discussed 

 from week to week in all the horticultural periodicals of the day ; and, 

 in the face of all this, there are those who doubt if any real progress 

 is being made after all. Our own opinion is, that while as good, and 

 probably better, Grapes Avere grown twenty-five years ago in isolated 

 cases, good Grape-growing is much more common now than then ; but 

 that much has yet to be learned, every one who, like ourselves, visits 

 many of the "odd corners" of the country, will be ready to admit. 

 The extent to which Grape-culture has attained amongst amateurs who 

 do not keep regular gardeners exceeds belief ; and we are bound to 

 state, as the result of our own observation, that their success will bear 

 a very fair comparison with that of those possessing more practical 

 skill. 



In the papers we hope to give on the subject of Vine-culture, we 

 shall confine ourselves to what we think likely to have practical 

 value, and leave v-hat is merely speculative to others. Our ojDinion 

 is, that the day is not distant when Britain will export Grapes largely 

 to Paris, Vienna, Berlin, St Petersburg, and other important cities on 

 the continent of Europe, as well as America. This, we know, takes 

 place to some extent already, but not to a thousandth part the extent 

 it might do if proper arrangements were entered into for creating a 

 demand by the extent and cheapness of the supply. In some of the 

 fine dry loamy fields of the Lothians, within a mile of where we write, 

 where coal and all needful appliances can be had cheap and near a 

 station, where express trains can be had daily to all parts of Britain, 

 excellent Grapes could be supplied by the ton, at such prices as would 

 insure a rapid market for them both at home and abroad, from the 

 beginning of December to the end of March, and leave a good profit 

 on capital invested. 



Before we close these papers, M^e may perhaps direct special atten- 

 tion to this aspect of Vine cultivation. 



To facilitate reference, we shall treat the subject under its several 

 heads, and commence with 



