92 THE GRAPE. 



If we consider that each fruiting plant in this case will 

 occupy one square yard, which is about an average, a 

 house twelve feet wide will accommodate three rows, and 

 admit room for a pathway ; and allowing forty feet as the 

 length, there will be house-room for thirty-nine vines, 

 upon each of which may be ripened six to seven pounds 

 of grapes, which will make the whole crop from two hun- 

 dred and thirty to two hundred and seventy pounds 

 weight. If the vines were planted out three feet apart, 

 in the usual way, the same house would contain thirteen 

 plants to the roof, and the same number on the back wall ; 

 but as the latter will only hold good for two or three 

 years, on account of shade, or may have been used up by 

 previous cropping, they can only be put down as a 

 small set-off against the advantages on the other side. 

 These thirteen vines, if forced equally early, cannot be 

 expected to produce more than an average of fifteen 

 pounds, which will give a total of one hundred and ninety- 

 five pounds. If the above calculations be correct and we 

 judge from practical experience in the matter the weight 

 of produce is in favor of pot culture ; but as we would not 

 mislead, it is necessary to repeat, that the same quality is 

 not to be obtained without skill, and the most careful 

 attention. 



There may appear to be an objection to pot culture, 

 from the general understanding, that when the roots of a 

 grape-vine are confined in so small a space, it will only 

 bear one remunerative crop, and is afterwards useless; 

 also, that a preparatory house will be needed for succession 

 plants ; thus keeping occupied two compartments. As to 

 the first, it is an error to suppose that a second, or even a 

 third fruiting, may not^be obtained from the same plants, 

 if the roots are allowed to pass through the bottoms of the 

 pots into the base beneath, which ought to be made suita- 



