FOREIGN NOTICES. 



Gardeners in general can not be expected to have a chemical knowledge of the constituents of 

 soil adapted to the growth of the vine and consequent maturity of the fruit ; but in all parts of 

 the country, wherever a mansion is erected, and gardens connected therewith for the growth of 

 fruits, &c, the vine will generally be found ; and I need hardly remark that in those situations 

 only where the soil is naturally adapted for its growth, and where skill and the practical routine 

 of management are carefully applied, will the results be lasting or satisfactory. The vine, it has 

 been said, is a gross feeder, and well has its voracious appetite been supplied. Deep borders 

 have been made for it and crammed with rich incongruous matter, foetid and disgusting ; but 

 what effect, after a few years' decomposition and consolidation, this unseemly compost has on its 

 health and productiveness, the advocates of the system can best report. That the vine requires 

 a liberal and generous supply of nutritive food is certain ; but the proper time to apply it is 

 when the plant is in active growth. It is currently believed that the great vine at Hampton 

 Court derives its nourishment from a sewer in its neighborhood ; but whether this is the case or 

 not it is evident that its roots have an unfailing supply of healthy and invigorating food. It is 

 asserted, on the contrary, that the large vine at Cumberland Lodge has no such source of supply ; 

 but that it derives its nourishment from the natural fertility of the soil. Some years ago I was 

 in the habit of visiting the gardens of a gentleman in whose green-house (which was of no ordinary 

 size) was planted a Black Haynburgh or Frankendale vine, which entirely covered the house. 

 Having expressed my surprise to my friend at the fine crop it yearly produced, well knowing 

 that the subsoil was a strong clay, and that no extra supply of nourishment was given to the 

 surface, he said that from his stable-yard there passed witliin twenty feet of the front of the 

 house a drain which he thought the roots of the vine had entered, and which he considered was 

 the cause of its productiveness. 



Some years ago I gave a vine to a neighbor who planted it at the south front of his dwelling- 

 house. I can answer for it there was no preparation of soil in this case — in fact, it had many 

 years before been paved with flints ; some of these were taken up, a hole made, the vine put in 

 with a little fresh soil around the roots, and the flints replaced. The plant grew to the admira- 

 tion of its possessor, and in four or five years it had filled the whole of the space available for it, 

 producing abundunt crops, and many of the branches were of such a size as would have done 

 credit to any vinery. Having my attention particularly directed to its luxuriant growth and 

 fertility, I could discern no other apparent cause than that there had been a cesspool within 

 twelve feet of where it was planted, but which had many years ago been filled up. 



I admit that in these two cases I can only draw an inference, as I had no positive proof that 

 the roots had entered the one or the other. I will only notice another instance, which, although 

 not confined to the vine, will serve to show that the latter will flourish exceedingly when its 

 roots are immersed in an intermitting flow of water. 



I was solicited by our village schoolmaster to supply him with a vine to plant on the west front 

 of his school-house. I gave him one, more with a view to his amusement than with any hope of 

 successful culture. The soil was very stiff"; at ten inches deep it was a strong clay. However, 

 the vine was planted and carefully attended to ; the first two years it made little progress, but 

 after the fourth year it grew vigorously. My judgment was called in question — there could be 

 no gainsaying the fact ; it was producing shoots from fifteen to twenty feet in length, and a good 

 crop of fruit ; but I was not long in suspense — the cause of its rapid growth was soon discovered. 

 The drain from the sink in the wash-house ceased to flow ; the vine had been planted within five 

 feet of it ; the roots had entered the drain, and entirely filled it up. They were removed, and 

 the hopes of the schoolmaster were blighted. 



We have abundant and sufficient proof that the vine will grow strongly, and ripen its wood 

 thoroughh-, and produce fruit plenteously, when it is supplied with proper nutriment in a liquid 

 state. I have propagated vines from eyes, and placed them in pots containing about a peck of 

 soil; they have produced rods in the same season from twelve to eighteen feet in length ; they 

 bore tlie following season in the same soil an abundant crop. The health of the vine, then, is 

 promoted and sustained by a free passage of liquids in contact with the roots. I have frequently 

 observed the facility with which it extends iU roots along brickwork, or otlier rough, gritty 

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