2 INTRODUCTION. 



chiefly ; that, for several years, I had been experlmentmg 

 upon the difierent plans recommended, (and which had caused 

 me so much perplexity in the selecting of the most suitable 

 for this climate,) in order that I could fix upon one worthy of 

 general adoption. To spare other cultivators this perplexity, 

 very little was said of soils and manures ; a compost was 

 recommended as suitable, and a substitute named, in case 

 the materials in the fonner could not readily be obtained. 

 Of the systems of training and pruning, all that could be of 

 use was given, and the advantages and disadvantages apper- 

 taining to each were noticed. 



In the present edition, it has been my plan to give all 

 shades of opinion, for every variety of climate ; that, wherever 

 located, some remarks might be found appropriate to the sit- 

 uation, provided it is within the latitude suited to grape cul- 

 ture. My own opinions are fuUy expressed, and, as the views 

 of others have been added, also, and wherein we differ freely 

 stated, the reader can select, for his own adoption, that sys- 

 tem which recommends itself as the best to his mind. 



This treatise is not offered to the public as containing any 

 thing new, but simply as recommending a plan wliich has 

 operated well with the author ; it is intended as a guide to 

 the person entirely unacquainted with the grape culture, and 

 for the benefit more especially of those living remote from 

 cities, in newly settled places. This Avill explain, why mat- 

 ters, which appear to the experienced of small account, have 

 been so particularly noticed ; it has given occasion to some 

 repetition also, but I thought it best to err on tliis side, than 

 that there should be any want of plain explanation of my 

 meaning. Rules have been given for the propagation of the 

 vine, the planting out, pruning, training, and other routine 

 duties. 



Views of grape-houses, with minute descriptions of the 

 manner of building and warming them, and every little mat- 

 ter which could be supposed to occur to one unaccustomed to 

 the subject have been added. 



