182 MY FARM. 



sunny bunches, where every berry is fully rounded, 

 and every cluster symmetrical. It must have care in 

 the planting, that its fibrous roots may take hold 

 readily upon their new quarters ; care in position, 

 which must, first of all, be sheltered next, have 

 ample moisture next, be utterly free from stagnant 

 water, whether above ground or below and finally, 

 have fair and open exposure to the sun. It must 

 have care in the training, that every spur and cluster 

 may have its share of air and sunshine ; care in the 

 winter pruning, to cut away all needless wood ; care 

 in the summer pruning, to pinch down its affluence 

 to drive the juices into the fruit, and to restrain the 

 vital forces from wasting themselves in a riotous life 

 of leaves and tendrils. 



But the care required is not engrossing or fatigu 

 ing. Any country-liver may bestow it upon the 

 score of vines which will abundantly supply his 

 wants, without feeling the task. Nay, more ; this 

 coy guidance of the luxuriant tendrils, this delicate 

 fettering of its abounding green life, this opening 

 of the clusters to the gladness of the sunshine, wiU 

 make a man feel tenderly to the vine, and breed a 

 fellowship that shall make all his restraints, and the 

 plucking away of the waste shoots, seem to be mere 

 offices of friendship. 



There is not, anywhere, a country house about 



