THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 7 1 



matter. The varieties of Vitis ritpestris promise well for stocks upon 

 which to grow other varieties in certain soils. In Europe calcareous or 

 limy soils are not considered well adapted to grape-growing, but in 

 America we often find very good vineyards on such soils. 



The physical character of a soil has more to do with the welfare of 

 the grape than fertilitv. Sand and clay are the two distinct types of soils 

 usually found in general agricultural regions. As one or the other pre- 

 dominates soils take their character. So far as growth alone is concerned 

 these two types of soil do not influence the vines much differently, but 

 the fruit in quantity and equality is greatly influenced by them. According 

 as to whether sand or clay is in excess a soil is loose or compact, retains 

 or gives up water, and is warm or cool. A compact soil is made so by an 

 e.Kcess of clay or of verv fine sand. Grapes require a light friable soil and 

 compactness is often a serious defect. Usually species and varieties with 

 large, thick roots are better adapted to compact soils than those with 

 small root systems, probably because the strong roots have greater pene- 

 trating power than the weak ones. Lightness and permeability of the soil 

 may be influenced b}- subsoiling and through the use of stable manure 

 and cover crops, but a hard soil is generally so ill adapted to grape- 

 growing that this fruit should not be planted on it. 



The heat-retaining properties of a soil must always be taken into 

 account in growing grapes. The great preference which many varieties 

 of grapes show for sands, loams, shales and gravels, depends largely upon 

 the greater amount of heat found in such soils. In northern regions it 

 is especially needful that the soil furnish an abundance of bottom heat 

 for the grape. The removal of an excess of moisture is helpful in regulating 

 soil heat; and, other things being equal, a well-drained soil is warmest. 



Grapes grow more or less well in any soil adapted to fruit-growing. 

 It is not true, even, that the grape is more particular as to soils than other 

 fruits. But the necessity of having great quantity and high quality of 

 fruit in profitable viticulture makes it very necessary to take their 

 preferences as to soil into strict account. 



Air currents are of minor importance compared with the other factors 

 discussed yet are worthy of attention. They are chiefly of importance m 

 grape-growing in the suppression of fungi. It has long been noticed that 



