28 FRUIT-BEARING POWERS 



out vineyards to vignerons, there is always a clause in- 

 serted in their leases, to direct how many shoots shall 

 be left upon each vine, and the number of eyes to 

 which the branches must be shortened ; because, were 

 not the vignerons thus tied down, they would over- 

 bear the vines, so that in a few years they would ex- 

 haust their roots, and render them so weak, as not to 

 be recovered again in several years, and their wine 

 would be so bad as to bring a disreputaion on the 

 vineyard, to the great loss of the proprietor." 



Here, then, is a distinct recognition of the fact, that 

 the flavour of grapes, and the vital energies of vines, 

 are materially affected by overcropping, and that, to 

 restrain the lessees of vineyards in foreign countries 

 from practising so injurious a course of culture, the 

 number of eyes to be left on each vine is actually lim- 

 ited, and even made the subject of special contract. 

 Now, if it be necessary to observe such a rule in 

 countries that are congenial to the growth of the vine, 

 and where, from its forming an important branch of 

 rural economy, it may be reasonably presumed that 

 the true nature of the plant is well nders ood, how 

 much more so must it be in the latitude of Great Brit- 

 ain, where, from the deficiency of solar heat, and the 

 variableness of the climate, a much greater portion of 

 the vital energy of the vine is put in requisition to ri- 

 pen the fruit ? 



And yet, who has ever seen, in the English practice 

 of pruning vines, any rule observed of the above-men- 

 tioned nature? In short, the common method of 

 pruning vines on open walls is the most random opera- 

 tion imaginable. 



In very warm summers, the juices of a vine plant 

 are more highly elaborated than usual, the sap being 

 inspissated, or thickened in a greater degree by the 

 increase of solar heat, in consequence of which it is 



