77 



soils nor the analyses of plants furnishing the data seemingly neces- 

 sary for practical purposes. 



The phenomena attending tbe growth of certain crops for a series of 

 years on the same soil apparently includes certain factors that are not 

 readily explained. For instance, it is observed that even in the case of 

 such humble plants as the petunia and verbena, if they are continued 

 for a few years in the same ground they will cease to give satisfaction, 

 even although the soil is annually manured with ground bones, rotted 

 stable" manure, or other kinds of ordinary manurial applications. In 

 flower gardens, when it is desired to grow these plants year after year 

 in the same spot, it is found necessary to renew the soil yearly by re- 

 moving 6 or 8 inches from the surface and replacing it by fresh earth 

 from other sources. 



The same results have been found in the culture of the grape. For a 

 number of years past it has been customary for the Department to 

 propagate several thousands of plants, embracing many varieties of 

 native grapes. These are mostly grown from single-eye cuttings in 

 sand beds under glass, and placed singly in pots when rooted. About 

 the end of May they are turned out of the pots and planted out in the 

 open field rather closely in rows which are about 3 feet apart. When 

 they have finished growth for the season they are lifted and removed 

 from the field, the ground receives a coating of rotted^ manure, which 

 is either plowed in or worked with a spade, leaving the surface rough, 

 to be acted upon by the frost. In the following spring the surface is 

 again worked over and the soil placed in good order for planting. At 

 the proper period young grapes are again planted as before. These are 

 removed at the end of the season, and the ground receives similar 

 treatment to that of the previous year. Notwithstanding this treat- 

 ment the third crop is very indifferent, and if a fourth crop is planted 

 it will prove to be an entire failure. 



Experience shows that by selecting a field which has never been 

 occupied with grapes the young plants will make an average growth of 

 about 4 feet in length the first year ; the average growth of the second 

 year will reach about 2 feet; the growth of the third year will be ex- 

 ceedingly weak, the best plants reaching to about 18 inches in length, 

 many weak kinds not reaching the length of I foot. 



This result of diminishing yearly growths has not been sensibly 

 affected by the application of different manures, and the question nat- 

 urally arises that if a deterioration of growth becomes so marked in so 

 short a time, and with such attention to the soil, what may be expected 

 when acres are closely planted with grapes, as in the case with vine- 

 yards, where the entire soil speedily becomes filled with roots *? It need 

 not be a matter for surprise if vineyards become unproductive after 

 producing several unsatisfactory crops. 



It is well known that nurserymen who pride themselves in maintain- 

 ing a high standard of quality jn their stpck of pear or other kinds of 



