THE VINE. ] 485 



3). The graft improves the production and the 

 quality of the produce, in varying degree according to 

 the nature and quality of the stock. It is found in 

 practice that European vines which were little productive 

 and produced fruit of inferior quality, grafted with an- 

 other variety of European vine or even with the same 

 variety invariably show an improvement in the quantity 

 and quality of their produce. It is generally admitted 

 that European vines grafted on American stock show a 

 marked increase of production as compared with ungrafted 

 European vines growing under the same conditions. 

 There is no deterioration of quality, and on the contrary 

 an amelioration of the quality of the produce is often 

 reported, and therefore the increase of production is not 

 attended by any proportional diminution of the saccharine 

 and aromatic contents of the grape. 



4). This improvement is more marked on cal- 

 careous soils, and certain types of American stock such 

 as Vilis Berlandieti and its hybrids, exercise in this 

 respect a greater influence than others. 



PLANTATION A> D CULTIVATION. The vine as already 

 stated will thrive well in a great variety of soils, provided 

 that the subsoil is free from stagnant humidity. On 

 terraced ground along the slope of hills, whatever may 

 be the exposition, and on broken rocky ground, the 

 development of the vine and its production will be 

 moderate, but the quality of the produce both for table 

 use or for the wme press will be highly satisfactory. On 

 such ground, particularly with red or dark soils, the 

 flavour of the grapes will be richer and their saccharine 

 contents much higher, the wine obtained will be a finer 

 produce, highly alcoholic and of good keeping quality. 

 Such districts are the veritable realms of Bacchus. On 

 the other hand, the heavy alluvial soils of the plain, 

 ordinarily well manured, will produce an enormous 

 development of canes and foliage, and a heavy yield of 



