AND WINE MAKING. 147 



In my grape culture I have kept two objects in view : 

 1st., to test such varieties as I deem promising, and 2d., 

 to raise only enough to supply local demands for the 

 fruit, and sufficient wood for my nursery. I had only 

 aimed at local trade until last year's demands from France 

 had induced me to plant cuttings to make plants for that 

 market. If I thought that the French demand would 

 continue I would make preparations to meet it, but I 

 think they will soon raise their own plants and become 

 independent of us. There are small vineyards scattered 

 about, from which cuttings could be obtained for ship- 

 ment ; but that is out of my line, and I could only oper- 

 ate through the vineyardist, as my business presses at the 

 cutting season. 



[prom letter dated JANUARY 15, 1877.] 



* * * I will try the Elvira. If it roots deep like 

 the CBstivalis I shall expect its success, unless it ripens its 

 leaves too early. But I had so fully made up my mind 

 that our grapes had all to come from the cestivalis family, 

 that I had ceased to make experiments with anything 

 else. If the Elvira is related to that family I should 

 hope for something from it. But I will try it anyhow. 



Some facts connected with the growth of the Labrusca 

 and (Bstivalis varieties, have led me to think sometimes 

 that the prime reason for the want of permanent success 

 herewith the Labruscas, was their habit of rooting so 

 near the surface. The cestivalis continue to grow luxuri- 

 antly through our long, hot, dry summers like cu- 

 cumbers in rainy weather. On the other hand the La- 

 brusca varieties, without exception, take such a rest in 

 the summer, that I have successfully removed them in 

 August, when they are quite uniformly leafless. The 

 September and October rains generally start the La- 



