276 NEW AMERICAN ORCHARDIST. 



native vines cannot be thus controlled ; they require a far 

 wider range, and more ample space. Of these, nine hun- 

 dred vines will suffice for an acre , the rows being six feet 

 asunder, and the vines being planted at eight feet distance 

 in the row. 



The most favorable exposition for vineyards with us, on 

 the shores of the Atlantic, is without doubt a south, or 

 south-western, removed as far as practicable from woods, 

 swamps, or standing water. An easterly exposition does 

 not suit them ; the eastern sea breezes are unfavorable, from 

 their coldness and humidity. 



Dr. S. A. Shurtleff, from his own successful experiments 

 in Boston, on a hill which faced the sea, has added his 

 testimony to confirm the truth of the above position. He 

 directs that the trellises should run in the direction of the 

 south-east and north-west, thus having a south-western ex- 

 position, and he prefers horizontal training. The wood on 

 the north-east side is never pruned at all, but is allowed to 

 grow, forming a vinous hedge, which defends the fruit from 

 the humid and cold eastern and north-eastern winds, which 

 cause mildew, by chilling and enfeebling both the wood 

 and fruit ; while on the south-west side, the genial warmth 

 is still further preserved by pruning all lateral shoots and 

 tendrils, and useless wood. Late pruning, or pruning after 

 July, as he justly observes, enfeebles the vine, arresting its 

 growth and that of the fruit, and causing it to turn soft and 

 sour, instead of ripening ; the leaves also should be pre- 

 served, being alike essentially necessary, and designed by 

 nature to nourish the fruit, as well as to protect from the 

 scorching sun by day, and the cold autumnal nights. By 

 pursuing this method, he has, during several years of trial, 

 infallibly succeeded in obtaining good crops, while all 

 other methods and positions have failed. 



The grapes of Thomery and Fontainbleau, so famous, are 

 the White Chasselas, or Chasselas de Fontainbleau, which 

 are better there than elsewhere, in any place or country. At 

 Fontainbleau, they are trained on the south side of a wall, 

 half a mile long, and 10 feet high, and in some places 18 

 or 20 feet. This wall was built in the time of Francis I., 

 and has been rebuilt many times since. On this waJ', 

 which is now appropriated to vines, other plants have been 

 cultivated at different times. The vines are under the 

 care of Mr. Brassin, who has had them in charge since 

 1832, and, according to Mr. Loudon, but one vine now re- 



