BRIGHT ON GRAPE CULTURE. 83 



life-time of man, while in the soluble form the valuable 

 constituent of bones, the phosphoric acid^ becomes en- 

 tirely available the first season. 



The fourth important inorganic element of the grape 

 vine and its fruit, \b potash, in various combinations, as 

 silicate of potash, nitrate of potash, tartrate of potash, 

 carbonate of potash, &c. Potash should, we presume, 

 be placed first and highest on the list, and the others 

 in the inverse order as noticed, viz : first potash, then 

 phosphoric acid, ammonia, lime. Soda, or soda ash, 

 may perhaps in some instances, serve the purpose of 

 potash, though it does not enter largely into the com- 

 position of the vine or the grape. 



The acich also play an important part in the forma- 

 tion of the grape, such as the tartaric, malic, carbonic, 

 silicic, nitric, sulphuric and tannic acids. 



The starchy and saccharine elements and compounds, 

 produced by the bases and acids, have also to be con- 

 sidered in our views of grape culture. 



Lime and potash enter largely into the composition 

 of the wood, ammonia stimulates the growth of foliage, 

 the phosphoric acid promotes the tendency to fruit, 

 potash develops fruit juices, carbonic and tartaric acids 

 elaborate sweetness and rich vinous flavor, and all these 

 substances, and more which it is unnecessary to name, 

 as they are found in all good soils, under the combined 

 influence of light, heat, and moisture, produce the per- 

 fect fruit. 



To instruct the public at large as to the best method 



