162 THE GRAPE. 



course, and still further to make use of those varieties that 

 contain within their original structure more than usual of 

 those ingredients which are suitable for the purpose. Now 

 generally, with due maturity, there is enough of the car- 

 bonaceous property, that can, by the plant's own action, 

 be converted into sugar, and of course by proper fermenta- 

 tion a sufficient proportion of the alcoholic principle may 

 be obtained ; but this does not give the particular nor yet 

 the varied aroma for which some wines are so prized. Too 

 much eneouragament to the production of exterior develop- 

 ment delays the formation of concentrated sugary matter, 

 and those constituent properties which are derived from 

 hydrogen and other gases,, that form in the exact propor- 

 tion those very desirable accompaniments which connois- 

 seurs delight in. Consequently it is easily seen that 

 moderate growth, with efficient drainage; must be the best, 

 and that as these peculiar properties are invariably more 

 highly concentrated under the influence of light and free 

 air, ample space is essential to vineyard culture. Although 

 our country is said to be " the land of the vine, J ' it by no 

 means follows that we may plant with impunity in any 

 situation, or under any circumstances, and notwithstanding 

 it is found that some varieties grow even in swamp land, 

 and produce fine fruit withal, when left to ramble among 

 the branches and overtop the loftiest neighboring trees, if 

 we try the same in culture for wine purposes, it would in 

 the greatest number of cases be nothing but a miserable 

 failure ; firstly, on account of deficiency in the quality of 

 fruit ; and secondly, there would be no certainty of it 

 becoming ripe, from the liability to the rot. On the other 

 hand, the locality may be in all respects suitable, but yet 

 so exposed to violent storms, that the foliage may be in- 

 jured and torn to the detriment of both fruit and plant, 

 and therefore such should not be made choice of. Again, 



