50 VITIS, OR 



be led from one to the other, still less pruning is requir- 

 ed with trees for support. 



53. In warm countries, vines must be left well shaded 

 by the leaves. In a cold climate or a cold season, it is 

 usual to cut many leaves so as to expose the grapes to 

 tlie sun to ripen well. Leaves, shoots, and grapes must 

 never be pulled, but cut with the sickle, knife, or nail. 



54. In a dry climate, a circular hollow ought to be 

 dug at the foot of the vine, so as to allow rain to collect 

 there, while in a wet climate or season, the reverse is 

 needful, and a small hillock must be raised around it. 



55. When the vineyard is in full bearing, a single 

 ploughing or hoeing is required, very early in the spring. 

 Manuring is only required once in 3 or 5 years, similar 

 to what has been mentioned already ; the whole ground 

 need not be manured, but merely the foot of each vine 

 in the winter. Dung compost, in small quantity, is very 

 good. 



56. Gi-afting is needful upon bad or sterile vines or 

 seedlings, &c. It must be performed in March, with 

 good scions and cuttings by cleft, grafting and binding 

 with clay : also by approach in a pot. Good grafts ought 

 to bear fruit the same year. In gardens, a variety of 

 grapes may thus be procured. Our wild vines are ex- 

 cellent hardy supports for all exotic grapes, which thus 

 become less liable to early motions of the sap. 



57. The crop or harvest of grapes is called vintage. 

 It is always a season of festivity. Although grapes may 

 be produced for eating from July to November, the vin- 

 tage is always in September, when most are ripe. The 

 clusters are cut with a knife, and carried in baskets to 

 the vat or press. 



58. Many diseases attack the vines in Europe, and 

 several insects prey on them. Our own vines are sel- 

 dom liable to them, and have fewer insects than any 

 other fruit. The worst diseases are the blight and the 

 yellows. -^ 



59. The blight or mildew may affect the leaves, blos- 

 soms, and fiuits. It is always caused by drops of rain 

 of a shower on which a hot sun shines, which burns them 

 by acting as a lens. The leaves and fruits become co- 

 vered with shrivelled brown spots. There is hardly any 



