ESSEX SOCIETY. 77 



Diversity in the qualities of Grapes. — Grapes, like other 

 fruit, vary in size, shape, color, time of ripening, length of time 

 they can be preserved, adaptation to particular uses, and in 

 many other circumstances. Those about to commence grape 

 orchards, or to multiply or enlarge those already in existence, 

 should have regard to this, and make such selections as will in 

 the result prove most gratifying or profitable to them. There 

 are now in the county, in process of cultivation, various kinds, 

 from which selections might be made, which would secure a 

 constant supply of fruit in a state of maturity and freshness, 

 from the middle of August to the month of February, and in 

 most seasons from an earlier to a later period. 



Unproductive vines. — Vines raised from seed of the native 

 grape, are very apt to prove staminate ; these of course, produce 

 no fruit, and are therefore rejected most generally by those con- 

 cerned in grape culture. The committee, however, state, that 

 from physical considerations, which they deem supported by 

 sundry experiments, they are led to think that it is beneficial 

 both for the strength and health of the vine, the perfection of 

 the fruit, the richness of its flavor and quantity of the yield, to 

 suffer some of these vines to occupy a place in the vineyard. 



Cultivation and training the vine — In the cultivation of 

 the grape, it should be remembered that the tendency of the vine 

 is to a luxuriant growth of wood. Its physical construction 

 encourages this. The study of the vinegrower should be, as 

 far as he can, to counteract this tendency and to turn the nu- 

 tritious circulation from the wood to the fruit, and thus increase 

 the size, but particularly the richness of it. In accomplishing 

 this result, regard must be had to the character of the soil, the 

 mode of trimming and training, and the nutritive ingredients 

 applied to its roots. The committee would enlarge a little on 

 these subjects were it not that it would unduly extend this re- 

 port. As a general observation, they will say in respect to soil, 

 that it should be sandy and warm, in preference to that which 

 is clayey and wet. The manure used should not be of an ac- 

 tive and exciting character. As a single article, no one is so 

 universally good as the trimmings of the vines, and small 

 branches of trees placed upon the earth about the roots, to the 



