85 



CHAPTER XX. 



VINES ON OPEN WALLS. 



'HERE is no doubt of the fact that in former years Grapes were 

 I much more extensively grown in the open air in this country 

 than they are at the present time. This may be ascribed to 

 various causes, and among others to the following : 



1. The introduction of cheap glass, whereby structures may be 

 erected at a moderate cost, for the cultivation of the Grape Vine with 

 a considerable degree of certainty. It is not to be supposed that in 

 olden times the seasons were always propitious and suitable for Vine 

 growing any more than they are at the present day ; although we read 

 of Mr. Joseph Kirke exhibiting, before the Royal Horticultural 

 Society in 1818, Royal Muscadine Grapes grown on open standard 

 Vines, which were said to be of very good quality. 



2. The Mildew, the intrusion of which scourge to the Vine, in the 

 year 1847, has rendered its cultivation in the open air in this country 

 extremely precarious. Although sulphur is well known as a remedy, 

 its application to Vines in the open air is not so easy to accomplish, 

 and, therefore, not so effectual in its results as could be desired. It 

 is very seldom now that out-door Grapes entirely escape this malady. 



3. A series of Gold Sunless Seasons, in which the out-door Grapes 

 have seldom ripened, so that their cultivation has gradually come to 

 be abandoned. 



If a little more attention to the proper cultivation of the plant, and 

 to the thinning and taking care of the fruit, were given, no doubt 

 better results would follow ; and it seems a pity we do not see Vines 

 more frequently adorning the walls of our cottage homes in the more 

 southern parts of the country. There the Grape Vine is not only 

 ornamental but useful. As a plant it is perfectly hardy, and it grows 

 freely. In spring the young shoots are sometimes injured by late frosts, 

 and in cold seasons the wood does not ripen thoroughly, but it is 

 the fruit that is tender, and that only in so far as it generally require^ 

 more heat than our climate affords it to ripen. 



In regard to cultivation on open walls we may note : 



1. Soil. The Vine will grow in any good garden soil, provided it 

 is freely exposed to light and air, and well drained ; the more of a 

 loamy character it has, and the fresher it is, the better. Before 

 planting, the soil should be well dug or trenched to a fair depth, and 

 some good manure, ground bones, etc., applied. 



2. Position. This must be warm and sheltered, on a wall facing 

 the south, or a roof sloping to the same aspect. It is useless to plant 

 Vines in this country on any other aspect. 



