148 AMERICAI?^ GRAPE GROWING 



bruscas into a full growth here. But even during rainy 

 summers the Labruscas cannot grow all summer. Their 

 leaves attain maturity and must fall. I conclude, after 

 all, that while the habit of shallow rooting with the La- 

 bruscas, readily suggest this as a reason for want of 

 adaptation, that it is not the only reason. I should say, 

 in general terms, that every portion of the plant matured 

 in a shorter length of time than is required in the case of 

 the mstivalis, that the Labrusca requires a longer period 

 of rest than the cestivalis. Our climate will not give 

 them this rest, and, therefore, the plant gives way. The 

 Almighty has provided plants for the different latitudes, 

 adapted by their constitution to their proper climates. 

 When these plants are removed to a point where the cli- 

 mate does not harmonize with their constitutions, then 

 they must yield to the violence against their natures. 

 Whether the lower temperature during the growing sea- 

 son at the North prevented development, or the frost of 

 the northern winter extinguishes life, or whether the 

 long continued demands of a southern climate enervate, 

 and finally destroy the life of a plant, the final result is 

 the same. Climate will govern the limit of our vege- 

 table productions. 



If we will apply these views to grape culture, it will be 

 seen that Nature has fixed her bounds in the constitu- 

 tions of the different families of grapes. The experience 

 of man must point out the limits fixed by the Creator's 

 hand, and written upon and within every family of the 

 vine. 



The shallow roots of the Labrusca can be warmed by 

 the northern sun, but they are too much heated by the 

 sun of our climate. The brief seasons of the North can 

 ripen the different parts of the Labrusca, and then give 

 the plant repose ; but our long seasons, first develop and 

 then stimulate to exhaustion, the same family of grapes. 

 Thus we fail with the Labrusca. I think that the want 



