THE GRAPE. 123 



if I would put dung into it, and cut the branches 

 into pieces, placing them in the holes, and cover- 

 ing them with earth. In a year I had the very 

 great satisfaction to see my barren vineyard be- 

 come quite beautiful. This plan I continued 

 every year, and now my vines grow splendidly, 

 and remain the whole summer, green, even in the 

 greatest heat. All my neighbors wonder very 

 much how my vineyard is so rich, and that I 

 obtain so many grapes from it ; and yet they all 

 know that I have put no dung upon it for ten 

 years." 



This proves, says Liebig, that a vineyard may 

 be retained in fertility without the application of 

 animal matter, when the leaves and branches, 

 pruned from the trees, are cut into small pieces, 

 and used as a manure. 



The proper soil for the grape vine is of more 

 importance than is generally supposed ; for, as 

 Mr. Hoare remarks on English culture (which 

 will apply generally to our own), " Vines may 

 be seen in all parts of the country, the fruit on 

 which looks well during the early part of the 

 season ; but, when the ripening season arrives, 

 the berries become green and hard." (With us 

 under such circumstances, they do not color well. ) 

 " These results are sure to follow when the roots 

 grow in a soil that is too wet and adhesive, and 

 into which the sun and air cannot freely pene- 

 trate." 



The natural soil, which is more congenial to 

 the growth of the vine, and to the perfection of 

 its fruit, is a light, rich, sandy loam, not more than 

 eighteen to twenty inches in depth. On this sub- 

 ject, the venerable Rogers offers the following 



