96 J^ropagatioji of the Grape Vine. 



ticed the largest and finest clusters, on strong, luxuriant wood. If I 

 could have my choice of wood for producing large bunches, I should 

 choose the largest growths, with this provision, — the wood should 

 be round, plump, short jointed, and well I'ipened. 



This is a point that ought never to he lost sight of; the ripening 

 of the wood is one of the j)rincipal agents in producing fine grapes ; 

 for it must be considered that strong, luxuriant wood is generally a 

 much longer time in ripening the fruit than weak ; and I have no 

 doubt that the reason many persons have failed in fruiting strong 

 wood, was on account of its being soft and pithy, and of course could 

 not be expected to give a good crop of fruit. 



The remarks made by Mr. Mearns on the grape vine, which I 

 have quoted, may be the means of deluding hundreds, if we are to 

 believe it to be a fact, that there is no necessity of preparing a rich 

 compost for the vine ; but simply to plant them in a shallow border, 

 by no means rich, with the expectation of having bunches of fruit 

 that will weigh from three to six and eight pounds each ; it would be 

 nothing short of folly to attempt to beat this system ; but there is a 

 doubt in my mind attending the practice, for if even M'hat has been 

 stated is correct, it is one instance in a thousand, and should by no 

 means be followed with any hopes of reward. 



In the formation of a vine border, I shall first recommend to those 

 who wish to make a good one, to procure, if possible, the top sod of 

 an old pasture field, where cattle and slieep have been ])astured for 

 years ; this should be preferred to any other, as it would pretty 

 near make the compost of itself. However, this kind of sod, 

 which is certainly the most desirable, cannot always be obtained ; but 

 the nearer we approximate to it the better ; the sods should be dug 

 up with about four inches of the soil adhering to them, the whole to 

 be taken as near to the spot where the border is to be made, as prac- 

 ticable. By so doing it will save considerable labor in wheeling, &c., 

 remembering to throw the sods up into a round heap, or to to make 

 a ridge of them ; either method will answer the purpose. In about 

 two months, or a greater length of time, the compost should be turn- 

 ed over, breaking it up quite small and fine, with a spade or shovel, 

 and mixing the whole well together ; tliis thoroughly done, make it 

 up into a snug heap ; and it is all that is necessary, until wanted 

 for the border. 



In the next place prepare for some old rich manure, either from 

 horses or cows, or a mixture of each ; such as has laid in a heap for 

 one or two years, until it has become more in appearance like a rich 

 heap of mould, than manure, is much better than that rank, and 

 strong ; such as can be obtained at slaughter-houses, &c. should not 

 by any means be used for this purpose, unless it has laid for two or 

 three years, and become as just mentioned. If such can be procur- 

 ed I should recommend it to be mixed with the sods in the following 

 manner : — to three wheel-barrows full of the sods add one of the 



