ON THE ART OF MAKING WINE. 73 



Cation of those which produce seeds already in 

 our summer temperature, and which are not de- 

 stroyed by our winter frosts. Among these, the 

 vine may be enumerated. To a certain extent it 

 may indeed be considered as already naturalized, 

 since it flowers every summer, and the winter frosts 

 do not destroy it. So may the common laurel be 

 looked upon as naturalized \. yet a severe winter 

 will kill this shrub, as a cold summer will prevent 

 the vine from bringing its fruit to maturity. It 

 is by a sedulous culture of seedling vines alone, 

 that we can hope to overcome this obstacle, and 

 to produce varieties which shall ripen in all sum- 

 mers. For this purpose it is not sufficient to make 

 trial of one or two successions of seedlings. Ex- 

 perience has shown, that numerous generations in 

 a direct descent from the parent are required for 

 the production of this effect. What that number 

 is, has scarcely yet been ascertained, except in the 

 cases of the Zizania, and the Canna above quoted ; 

 but it probably varies according to the previous 

 tenderness of the parent. Jn the vine, already 

 considerably hardy, the object would probably be 

 attained in a few generations. As I consider this 

 object as one of prime importance, I venture to 

 point it out to the serjous attention of horticul- 

 turists, and as one which is likely to reward their 

 labours. The production of new varieties will 

 paturally follow these attempts, and by combining 

 them, the process of impregnating the flowers 

 F 3 



