X 



168 ON PLANTING AND MANAGING 



difference that exists in the conditions which nature 

 has created for the. perfection of the vine in its native 

 country, and those that exist in Britain, will be suffi- 

 cient to show that a decrease of moisture in the soil, 

 and a consequent increase of dryness and warmth, are 

 absolutely essential, in order to approximate as nearly 

 as possible to the native soil of the vine. 



The mean annual temperature of Syria, the most 

 favored country of the vine, is about 25 higher than 

 that of England ; and to this very striking difference 

 between the mean annual temperature of the two coun- 

 tries must be added the important fact, that in the lat- 

 ter country there is a much greater disparity betwixt 

 the summer and winter temperature than in the former. 

 \nd it is this disparity that operates so prejudicially 

 in the early forcing of the vine, which, if it be com- 

 menced in the winter, will place the branches in the 

 enjoyment of a temperature of at least 70, while that 

 of the soil in which the roots are planted will most pro- 

 bably not exceed 35 ! Nor does the soil become but 

 little warmer till a late period in the spring, until after 

 the crop of grapes will have been matured, and when 

 it is, therefore, too late for the fruit to derive any be- 

 nefit from the increased warmth. These disadvan- 

 tages, with many others that flow from them, acting in 

 combination together, require the utmost skill of the 

 cultivator to parry them off, and counteract their in- 

 jurious effects. 



But, great as the disparity, however, is, that usually 

 exists betwixt the temperature of the branches and the 

 roots of early forced vines, it is considerably increased 

 by the prevalent practice of making rich and highly 

 manured borders for the roots to grow in. 



Previously, however, to any remarks on this head, it 

 may be opportunely observed, that the vegetative power 

 of the vine is wholly distinct from its maturalive power. 



