GRAPE-GROWING. 65 



raised for four cents a pound, and prove as profitable as any- 

 other crop. While it may possibly be done in certain locations 

 more favorable for the growth and maturity of grapes than ours, 

 certain we are, from our experience of the past five years, that 

 there has been little or no margin for profit. Such vast quanti- 

 ties of this fruit arc now raised that it would be impossible to 

 find a market for it while fresh, and the larger portion, perhaps, 

 is used for wine. Ohio was the pioneer State in this branch ; 

 but California now claims the foremost rank, while Missouri and 

 other of the States produce large quantities. Without doubt 

 this country is destined to become the greatest wine-producing 

 country of the world, and may yet supply this article to coun- 

 tries from which we have been and are now importing large 

 quantities. Forty millions of consumers will dispose of a large 

 amount of this fruit if they can secure it at low prices, preferring 

 to take the pure juice of the grape in the original packages, rather 

 than to take it from the bottles after fermentation. Even Massa- 

 chusetts has many acres devoted to grape-growing, though not 

 so much with a view to wine-making as for market purposes. 

 Many persons were, a few years ago, quite enthusiastic over the 

 prospect, believing grapes to be the most profitable fruit-crop 

 that could be raised, Wc were not among that number, but 

 were willing to try the experiment. Others have done the same, 

 perhaps, on a larger scale, with similar, or, we hope, with better 

 results. A great deal depends upon soil, location and treatment. 

 A southern slope, with good shelter or protection on the north- 

 west, north and north-east, is of the highest importance in this 

 cold climate of ours. The very finest Concord grapes we ever 

 saw were raised in Waltham, beside ledges of rocks where they 

 had the benefit, not only of shelter from cold winds, but the 

 direct and reflected heat by day, and the warmth evolved from 

 the rocks at night. Few persons who have not tried the experi- 

 ment have any just idea of the advantages to be derived in this 

 climate from planting grapes beside rocks where the vines can 

 have " ivarm feetP A rather dry, gravelly loam or clayey soil 

 we find to be best adapted to the grape. Avoid a deep, rich, 

 mellow loam, such as is usually found in hollows. Sandy lands 

 are not the most favorable ; open plains are not good. Use but 

 little manure, and that little well decomposed, or ashes or bone- 

 dust. We have raised the best fruit on the poorest soil. Trencli- 

 9 



