The Culture of the Grape. 291 



much from England, and with some additions. We have 

 the large Syrian grape, so beautifully copied in your book. 

 The large Smyrna grape, so well exhibited in your book, 

 remains to be obtained. Spain and Portugal each have im- 

 posing specimens of the table grape. But the large inviting 

 grape is often tough, coarse, and without flavor. Whatever 

 England has so long rejected in her selections, we must adopt 

 with care. 



Experiments to naturalize the foreign grape in about 38 to 

 42° of north latitude, have ascertained that our summers 

 cannot be relied upon as exempt from frost beyond June, 

 July and August. Frost oftentimes comes in the last of May 

 and early in September. But say we have a summer, at 

 most, of three and a half months, without frost. Experience 

 has established that the foreign vine requires a season of from 

 four to five and a half months to ripen its fruit into its 

 luscious and natural flavor and sweetness. Upon such facts, 

 all hope to naturalize the foreign vine to our northern latitude 

 is given up. But experiments on this matter have since 

 established that the foreign grape vine, planted in a cold, 

 glass vinery, (without fire or artificial heat,) dependant upon 

 the sunshine alone, will be entirely successful. The cold 

 and frosts of April and May will not penetrate within the 

 glass, and overcome the natural heat within to hurt the 

 growing vine ; nor the cold and frosts of September and 

 October, and usually even November, will not penetrate 

 to hurt the ripening fruit. Thus, a summer is provided of 

 from seven to eight months' continuance, and free from frost, 

 with a climate to be regulated by a thermometer and at any 

 degree of heat desired, day and night, above the climate of 

 the place of the nativity of the vine. The forcing power, 

 and the growth of the vine and fruit thus matured, can only 

 be credited by actual observation. 



When the vines have performed their functions, and the 

 crop is gathered, the vinery is to be opened to the season. 

 The vines are laid down for their winter rest, and are thus 

 kept in health, and escape diseases liable to befall vines in 

 the heated house with exotic plants, continually growing and 

 without rest for a series of years. 



