102 THE GRAPE CULTURIST. 



those remaining expand, and one leaf may become of more 

 importance to the vine than a dozen when crowded. 



This is why we pinch off, thin out, etc. ; for the results 

 of these operations show that, when under cultivation, 

 vines will produce a larger number of leaves than are ne- 

 cessary to secure the proper development and health of the 

 plant. 



Although the general appearance and structure of vim^ 

 leaves are very similar, yet there is a great difference in 

 the relative power of leaves of different varieties to with- 

 stand the various changes of climate, disease, etc. ; and it 

 is of the utmost importance that their full development 

 should be attained in all cases, so that they shall not be 

 affected by the ordinary changes of the temperature during 

 the period of growth. 



FORMS OF LEAVES. 



To mention even a hundredth part of the various forms 

 of vine leaves would occupy too much of our space. But 

 I have given the following illustrations for the purpose of 

 showing the different characteristics of the leaves of some 

 of the different species, and at the same time convey a bet- 

 ter idea of the meaning of some of the terms commonly 

 employed in describing the leaves of the different kinds, 

 than could be done without engravings. 



The leaves are necessarily shown much smaller than the 

 natural size, 'but in doing so I have endeavored to preserve 

 their most prominent features. In making the selections 

 for the engravings from my sketch-book, I intended merely 

 to choose those which were quite distinct ; but since the/ 

 were engraved I have found that, although inadvertently, 

 I have selected those that are natives of as widely separated 

 portions of the globe as completely as I could have possi- 

 bly wished had I aimed at doing so. The leaf has two 

 distinct portions the expanded part, or blade, and the 



