124 , FKUIT BOOK. 



rational observations : " The vine grows most 

 luxuriously in rich, deep soils ; in that it has 

 large shoots, leaves, and perhaps a few' large 

 bunches ; but the shoots and fruit ripen later, if 

 they ripen at all, and the fruit will be very in- 

 sipid. In opposite circumstances these results 

 are reversed. In a shallow, light soil, the growth 

 is moderate ; the shoots are small, although not 

 weak ; the bunches numerous, well ripened, and 

 of high flavor. The shoots or young wood are 

 also thoroughly hardened, having prominent buds, 

 and break with vigor and high health in the 

 following year. It is also well known that the 

 roots of the vine, in order to have healthy, mod- 

 erately-sized shoots, and high-flavored fruit, re- 

 quire a horizontal range, more or less extensive ; 

 deriving, it seems, much benefit from the influ- 

 ence of the air and heat of the sun, when near 

 the surface. If these opinions are well founded, 

 it is a matter of wonder that some authors have 

 advised vast accumulations of the richest soils 

 and manures mixed together, as if for the gross- 

 feeding drum-head cabbage, rather than for the 

 delicate feeding and abstemious grape vine, 

 which, in its native habitation, is content to climb 

 upon and subsist by what it can draw from the 

 interstices of the rock." 



Regarding the summer pruning of the Isabella 

 Grape in open culture, our practice heretofore 

 has been, in common with many others, to cut or 

 shorten the Truit, and other laterals which spring 

 out from the joint upon the strong wood. We are, 

 however, convinced that this severe pruning is 

 improper ; the remarks of Mr. Downing on this 

 subject, in a recent number of his popular period- 



