16 THE GRAPE. 



\_ 

 stand the constitutional habits, and adapt our treatment 



accordingly. Now, if we take into consideration, as stated 

 above, that the exotic grape-vine is indigenous to, and 

 flourishes best in those countries which have long and 

 steady summers, and that those same localities are com- 

 paratively dry during the periods of rest, it seems only 

 reasonable that we should keep up a warm and equable 

 temperature during growth, and also have the roots in a 

 well-drained, or naturally dry substratum, so far for its 

 natural requirements. All that we have so far done, by 

 attempting to acclimatize the grape, has not yet overcome 

 these physical difficulties, neither will any future attempts 

 succeed, unless we get a race of seedlings, crossed with the 

 native varieties, and raised in our own climate. By en- 

 couraging vigorous development, by a moist atmosphere, 

 added to this required steady heat, and afterwards concen- 

 trating the collected juices by a further continuance of 

 the latter principle, with air more freely admitted until 

 the approach of maturity, afterwards reducing the tem- 

 perature, and moisture as ripening progresses, it will bend 

 to the will of the most fastidious enthusiast. 



By the aid of glass houses, either with or without arti- 

 ficial heat, all this can be accomplished, and as they can 

 be erected of any size to suit the pecuniary means, or 

 caprice of different persons, a grapery is within the reach 

 of a poor man. How gratifying would it be to the me- 

 chanic, and small tradesman, to have attached to his 

 homestead a small house of grapes, what an appendage 

 to his little domain, and with what exulting feelings would 

 he view his crop as "he sat under his own vine," and 

 watched with an " enthusiastic pleasure the several stages 

 of bursting buds, flowers, and fruit, knowing that he could 

 enjoy his own luscious grapes, equal in quality with those 

 of the most wealthy proprietor in the land, or the great- 



