2 THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 



region a thousand years before Christ, for Hesiod, who wrote at this time, 

 gave directions for the care of the vine which need to be changed but httle 

 for present practice in Europe. PHn}', writing a thousand years after, 

 quotes Hesiod as an authority on vine culture. Vergil and Pliny, during 

 Christ's time, gave specific directions for the care of the vine. Vergil 

 describes fifteen varieties while Pliny gives even fuller descriptions of 

 ninety-one varieties and distinguishes fifty kinds of wine. 



The authentic written history of the grape and of its culture really 

 begins with Vergil. Many other writers, Greeks and Romans, had dis- 

 cussed the vine, but none so fully nor so well as Vergil in his Georgics, of 

 which the parts having to do with the vine may still be read with profit by 

 the grape-grower; as, for example, the following' in which he tells how to 

 cultivate and train: — 



" Be mindful, when thou hast entomb'd the shoot, 



With store of earth around to feed the root; 



With iron teeth of rakes and prongs, to move 



The crusted earth, and loosen it above. 



Then e.xercise thy sturdy steers to plow 



Between thy vines, and teach the feeble row 



To mount on reeds, and wands, and, upward led, 



On ashen poles to raise their forky head, 



On these new crutches let them learn to walk, 



'Till, swerving upwards with a stronger stalk, 



They brave the winds, and, clinging to their guide, 



On tops of elms at length triumphant ride."- 



His directions for pruning are equally fitting for present practice: — 



" But in their tender nonage, while they spread 

 Their springing leaves, and lift their infant head, 

 And upward while they shoot in open air. 

 Indulge their childhood, and the nurslings spare; 



' Translation of Dryden. 



^ Perhaps the most marked distinguishing feature between ancient and modern grape-growing 

 is the training of vines to trees as indicated in the above verse. Pliny says of this practice: " In 

 Campania they attach the vine to the poplar; embracing the tree to which it is thus wedded, the 

 vine grasps the branches with its amorous arms, and as it climbs, holds on with its knotted trunk 

 till it has reached the very summit ; the height being sometimes so stupendous that the vintager 

 when hired, is wont to stipulate for his funeral pile and grave at the owner's expense." 



