INTRODUCTION. 



THE Grape Vine is one of the oldest fruit-bearing plants 

 in cultivation, as it is frequently mentioned in the Holy 

 Scriptures, from the record of the flood to the Crucifixion. 

 In many countries whose climate is suitable, the growth of 

 the grape and the manufacture of wine from its juice has 

 for many years been an important industry. In England 

 the cultivation of the grape is also of considerable antiquity. 

 There is reason to believe that the plant was first introduced 

 into this country by the Romans, and it is mentioned 

 occasionally in the Saxon chronicles. Towards the end of 

 the middle ages, a vineyard was included in the grounds 

 attached to the castles and monasteries, and the Domesday 

 Book mentions the vine in several counties. Owing to our 

 moist climate, however, grape growing made but little 

 progress until artificial cultivation began to be studied and 

 understood. Until very recent times this delicious fruit was 

 the luxury only of the wealthy classes, but the vine is 

 now cultivated on commercial lines, and its products come 

 within the reach of persons of very moderate incomes. 

 The vine lends itself admirably to artificial treatment, and 

 British grown grapes, thanks to the skill and care bestowed 

 upon its cultivation, are excellent in appearance and flavour. 

 The products of our own hothouses are now cheaper than 

 foreign grapes were a few years ago, while the quality is 

 vastly superior. 



The gardener who grows everything well except the vine, 

 is lacking one of the most interesting and important, and 

 often a profitable phase of his profession, and this truth 

 being now generally recognised, there exists a widespread 

 and constantly increasing desire on the part of amateurs 

 and professional gardeners alike for reliable information on 

 the subject. Books on Vine Culture are few in number, 

 and the present volume is written to meet a need for more 

 information than is available at the present time. The 

 author has been a practical grower of grapes for many 

 years, and his numerous successes at the leading fruit 

 exhibitions of the country have been recorded from time to 

 time in the gardening periodicals. The facts and suggestions 

 contained in the following pages are based upon his own 

 experience and observations covering a long period of years. 



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