GRAPES. CULTIVATION, SOIL 3 ETC. 263 



The vine requires a deep, light soil, and a warm expo- 

 sition, to produce fruit of superior quality. In cold, moist, 

 strong soils, the fruit is gross and watery, and later in the 

 season of its maturity. The vine flourishes in soils of vol- 

 canic origin ; also in calcareous soils, and even in sandy 

 soils. On land half covered with rocks, they never suffer 

 from drought, and receive a double portion of the rains, 

 and a double portion of heat from the reflected rays of 

 the sun. 



The vine is a native of the temperate climates, and 

 requires a winter, or a suitable season of repose. In the 

 tropical countries, therefore, it becomes unproductive, 

 rinding no repose, nor its wonted season of rest, except 

 only in the elevated regions of mountains. Yet in some 

 tropical countries, as at Bombay, they give to their vines, 

 by artificial means, a suitable time for profound rest and 

 slumber, and they awaken to fruitfulness for a season. 

 This repose lasts twenty-five or twenty-six days. In Octo- 

 ber, and immediately after the rainy season is past, the 

 roots are laid bare for fifteen or sixteen days ; the vines 

 are. then pruned, and in about a week afterwards, the buds 

 will begin to break. The roots are then re-covered with 

 soil, and the ground manured ; water is also given morning 

 and evening, till the fruit attains its growth ; and after- 

 wards but once in three or four days, till the fruit is ripe. 

 By varying the season of the operation, a succession of 

 fruit is insured at all times. 



The young wood of the European vines requires protec- 

 tion in the winter, in the Northern and Middle States. 

 However the modes of training and management may 

 vary, protection is aljke necessary in all and every system ; 

 except, only, the wood of three years' growth, which, with 

 most varieties of the European vine, is deemed hardy. 



In treating of the culture and management of the vine, 

 I shall confine my remarks chiefly to its cultivation in the 

 open air ; and more especially to those modes of manage- 

 ment which are practised in a country one of the most 

 enlightened on earth, and possessing a climate not very 

 much unlike our own ; where the vine has been cultivated 

 as an article of commerce and subsistence for two thou- 

 sand years, and where six millions of acres are cultivated 

 in vineyards. 



