THE ROOTS OF GRAPE VINES. 171 



indigenous district of the vine, the reverse, as has been 

 already stated, takes place. As the power of the sun 

 becomes progressively weaker, so also does the fruit- 

 bearing powers of the vine, while the growing powers 

 of it progressively increase. And when this is the 

 case, to stimulate the soil in which vines are planted, 

 is to cause an increase of growth, when that growth is 

 already naturally too strong. 



If, with an increase of growth, a corresponding in- 

 crease of solar light and heat could by any means be 

 produced, the case would be very different. Then, 

 indeed, the powers of the vine would harmonise to- 

 gether, and the balance betwixt the roots, and the 

 foliage and fruit, be thereby more equally preserved. 

 But as this is impossible, other means than stimulating 

 the growing powers of the vine must be resorted to, to 

 make it become prolific, and those means are to make 

 the best possible use, in every conceivable way, of the 

 solar light and heat that we do possess. 



To return now to the consideration of the effects of 

 highly manured borders. It must, however, be first 

 remarked, that the preceding observations on the ef- 

 fects of manure are intended to apply exclusively to 

 vines cultivated under glass, and not to those trained 

 on the open wall. These latter frequently suffer from 

 adverse contingencies of the season, and are thereby 

 exposed to many drawbacks on their growth ; manure, 

 therefore, of a dry and moderate nature, and of per- 

 manent duration, such as bones, may be beneficially 

 applied to the soil in which their roots are growing. 

 But the case is very different with vines, the branches 

 of which are trained under glass. The foliage of these 

 never exoeriences the adverse effects of strong or 

 parching winds, or storms of hail, or long continued 

 drought. The shoots and leaves are so completely 

 under command, that the cultivator can make the vines 



