320 



HIGH CULTIVATION OF NATIVE GRAPES. 



You are, of course, aware that all plants 

 are formed of organic and inorganic con- 

 stituents. Tlie organic are the woody fibre 

 and the juices of the plant. The inorganic, 

 the earthy and alkaline substances found 

 there, viz., potash, soda, silica, &c. The 

 organic constituents can all be resolved 

 into the following elementary substances, 

 namely : carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and 

 oxygen. Now we have seen that the car- 

 bon and nitrogen have been derived from 

 the atmosphere. The hydrogen and oxy- 

 gen, the constituents of water, are, of 

 course, derived from the rain which perco- 

 lates through the earth. The inorganic 

 are also taken from the earth. It is evi- 

 dent, then, that the inorganic constituents 

 must be found there ; and if they are not 

 there naturally, they must be supplied. 

 This is the true theory of manuring, viz., 

 to enrich the earth so that it may be buoy- 

 ant and loose ; that atmospheric air may 

 permeate, and the rain percolate through 

 it, allowing the rootlets free access to 

 every part, and to supply the inorganic 

 constituents required. Hence we see the 

 great advantage to be gained by the admix- 

 ture of any buoyant substance, such as 

 muck, bog or humus, stable litter, or other 

 light manure ; lime, ashes, and other com- 



pounds containing ammoniacal, and other 

 salts and silicates. 



I shall not, however, consxime your time 

 with entering into this subject farther. I 

 have attempted, in the observations I have 

 made, to elucidate the great importance of 

 the leaves and the rootlets of a plant, as the 

 organs necessary for its proper develop- 

 ment, and the maturing of its productions- 

 To allow the leaves to perform their func- 

 tions in a proper manner, light, sunshine, 

 and atmospheric air, are required, and 

 ought freely to be admitted ; and to allow 

 the rootlets to perform theirs, heat, mois- 

 ture, and atmospheric air, are indispensa- 

 ble. Whatever tends to deprive the leaf 

 'of light, retards it assuming its proper 

 colour ; and without colour, the solar ray 

 loses its effect, and the plant wants vigor. 

 Strip a plant of its leaves, and prevent their 

 further development, and it will die. So, 

 in like manner, unless the rootlets enjoy 

 freedom of extension, a sufficient supply of 

 moisture, and atmospheric air, the plant 

 will droop and wither. Deprive it of its 

 rootlets, and it will die. These are points, 

 no doubt, familiarly known to all ; but they 

 are, nevertheless, worthy of the very great- 

 est attention. James Paul. 



Trenton, N. J., 1813. 



HIGH CULTIVATION OF NATIVE GRAPES. 



BV AN AMATEUR, NEW- YORK. 



I THINK very few of the thousands who now 

 cultivate the Isabella and Catawba grapes, 

 in the middle states, are av/are how much 

 the size and quality of the fruit is improved 

 by high culture. 



The deep and rich borders, alwaj'^s pre- 

 pared for vineries of foreign grapes, your 

 readers are familiar with ; and the magni- 



ficent growth of wood, and enormous clus- 

 ters of grapes, that are obtained by using 

 such stimulants. I think equally satisfac- 

 tory results may be obtained by making 

 deeply prepared borders for the native 

 grapes. Of course, I now refer to vines 

 planted for table fruit ; as it is well known 

 that in planting vineyards for wine, the 



