The Grape. 119 



readily to the practice of artificial fertilization, or the 

 transfer by hand of the pollen of the flowers of one 

 variety to the blossoms of another and different kind, the 

 practice to which we owe the greater portion of our fancy 

 roses and rhododendrons, modern in the carrying out, 

 but foretold in the immortal dialogue in the Winter's 



Tale: "This is an art, 



Which does mend nature change it rather, but 

 The art itself is nature." 



What stores of unexpected wealth have yet to be brought 

 to the front by means of human skill and enterprise it is 

 impossible even to conjecture. The undiscovered secrets 

 of nature, we may be sure, are not less wonderful and 

 delectable than the disclosures already before us. Mean- 

 while there is enough to do in making the best of the 

 matchless sorts we are possessed of, and in working out 

 new and elegant devices in regard to the use of the vine 

 as an ornament even for our dwellings. How classic and 

 refreshing when grown, for instance, in a pot, as a little 

 standard, and trained to dimensions such as adapt it for 

 the centre of the table, the seven or eight bunches of 

 fruit, then quite easily at command, depending from 

 beneath the broad green leafy crown. The appearance 

 of a little vine thus trained is so exceedingly rich as to 

 elicit warmer admiration than even the loveliest epergne 

 of flowers. The best sort to employ for this purpose is 

 the common Black Hamburgh. 



A different set of varieties should be resorted to for 

 cultivation in the open air. There are several sorts which 



