ROOTS OF GRAPE VINES. 151 



from the vinons country, a precisely opposite effect 

 takes place. Every degree of latitude in that direc- 

 tion brings with it an increase of the vegetative 

 power, and a decrease of the maturative power. And 

 so great is the disparity betwixt these two powers as 

 they exist in England, that in the southern parts the 

 latter power bears about the same proportion to the 

 former as one does to ten, while in the northern parts, 

 the maturative power becomes wholly extinct, al- 

 though the branches of the vine possess there a vigor- 

 ous growth. 



If, therefore, the shoots and leaves of a vine planted 

 in this country become so exceedingly strong, as to 

 exist in proportion to its fruit-bearing power in the 

 ratio of ten to one, for what useful purpose, it may 

 be asked, can manure, or anything in the nature of a 

 stimulant to promote growth, be added to the soil in 

 which vines are planted? Not certainly to increase 

 their prolificacy, for it will have a tendency to pro- 

 duce a contrary effect. It is not only in England that 

 vines cannot be made prolific by adding stimulants to 

 the soil in which they grow, but it is the same 

 throughout the whole vinous latitude. In no part of 

 the world can a vine be made to produce a single 

 grape more than it otherwise would do. by the exclu- 

 sive agency of anything added to the soil in the shape 

 of a stimulant, except under the circumstances here- 

 after mentioned. Grapes are the sole creation of solar 

 light and heat. The earth produces the raw material 

 in the form of branches and leaves, but the sun must 

 step in and consolidate the juices, otherwise not a sin- 

 gle grape will be produced. 



Here, then, is the grand distinction to be made in 

 the effect produced by manuring the roots of vines, 

 according to the latitude in which they grow. 



Assuming that in all the countries where the vine 

 is indigenous, and which in the northern hemisphere 

 are generally considered to be comprehended betwixt 

 the 25th and 44th degrees of latitude, the two powers 

 of the vine are, as has been already stated (for a little 



