92 THE HOME ACRE. 



the crop, as the vine seems to be as susceptible to 

 such influences as human beings." 



Taking this statement literally, we may well ask, 

 Where, then, can grapes be grown? According to 

 physicians, malaria has become one of the most 

 generally diffused products of the country. When 

 a man asserts that it is not in his locality, we feel 

 sure that if pressed he will admit that it is " round 

 the corner." Country populations still survive, 

 however, and so does grape-culture. Yet there 

 are low-lying regions which from defective drain- 

 age are distinctively and, it would almost seem, 

 hopelessly malarial. In such localities but few 

 varieties of the vine will thrive. The people who 

 are compelled to live there, or who choose to do 

 so, should experiment until they obtain varieties 

 so hardy and vigorous that they will triumph over 

 everything. The best course with grape-diseases 

 is not to have them ; in other words, to recognize 

 the fact at once that certain varieties of the grape 

 will not thrive and be productive of good fruit un- 

 less the soil and climate suit them. The proprietor 

 of the Home Acre can usually learn by a little in- 

 quiry or observation whether grapes thrive in his 

 locality. If there is much complaint of mildew, 

 grape-rot, and general feebleness of growth, he 

 should seek to plant only the most hardy and 

 vigorous kinds. 



