plants, which should be determined by the growth of the particular 

 kind, leaving in all cases sufficient room for free development. 

 There must also be some difference in practice as regards the removal 

 of the fruit, as when used before it is fully developed, as with the 

 Vegetable Marrow, it must be taken oft' regularly when partially 

 grown. On the other hand when Gourds have to ripen, none of the 

 fruit should be removed, as that which is formed first is usually the 

 best. 



GRAPE. 



HISTORY. 



Botanically, the Grape Vine is known as Vitis vinifera, and it belongs 

 to the natural order Vitacece. Vitis is derived from a Celtic w*ord, and 

 signifies the best of trees, in allusion to the great usefulness of the genus. 

 The specific name vinifera means wine-bearing. The English name 

 Grape comes from the Saxon " Grab " or 4< Gripe," signifying a bunch or 

 cluster. As is the case with many other of our economical plants, the 

 early history of the Grape is involved in some obscurity. 



Excepting the Pig, the Grape is the oldest fruit mentioned in history, 

 and it appears to have been cultivated by mankind from a very 

 remote period. The first record we have of this fruit is in the 

 Bible, which informs us that Noah planted a vineyard, and made use 

 of wine. Probably the Grape was known at a still earlier period, 

 though no records exist as to its cultivation previous to the Deluge. 

 Some learned theological writers have been of opinion that it was 

 the Grape, and not the Apple, as is generally supposed, which was 

 the forbidden fruit that tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of 

 Eden. With the ancient Hebrews and contemporary nations the Grape 

 Vine appears to have been very popular, as it is frequently mentioned in 

 the Bible. Wine appears to have been in general use by the Jews, and 

 they are said to have had a custom of, from humane motives, plying 

 criminals with it before their execution, in order to stimulate them. 

 Vineyards were common with this nation, and at a very early period 

 Ararat, Damascus, and Lebanon became famous for their wines. 



According to history, the Grape was first introduced to Europe by the 

 Greeks, who, at an early period, became renowned for their wines. This 

 reputation is alluded to frequently in the works of Homer, Horace, and 

 other ancient historians. Old Greek writers inform us also that in 

 making wine it was the practice of their nation to use various odoriferous 

 herbs, as also salt water, to give particular flavours. According to pa^an 

 mythology, Bacchus was made a deity because he taught men tne use of 

 wine. As the god of wine and the vintage he was always represented 

 with a crown of the Grape Vine. According to Pliny, Bacchus was the 

 first being who wore a crown. The goddess Juno was also always 

 represented wearing a crown of Grape leaves. The traditions of the early 

 Egyptians claim for Osiris the credit of being the first to grow the Grape 



