THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 65 



started them the latter end of February, last year, and you 

 wish to have early fruit, you may begin three Aveeks or a 

 month earher, but by no means sooner, as it Avill be found the 

 most conducive to their health and fruitfulness not to break 

 in upon their habits too rashly. I cannot give, at present, 

 (though I have some experiments in course of trial,) better 

 instructions for the management of this and succeeding years, 

 than by following out the comprehensive culture the whole of 

 the season as plainly laid down in the foregoing pages, urging 

 the necessity of carrying out the whole practice as therein 

 stated, by close attention to which, success will certainly 

 follow. 



" Conclusion. In this attempt to lay down my practice in 

 as clear and plain a light as I am able, I hope I shall be ex- 

 cused the repetitions, almost unavoidable, on such a subject. 

 It will be found plam language and plain practice, (pirated 

 from no one,) from which I have had great success. I am 

 aware that, in presenting these hints to the pubhc, I expose 

 myself either to the smile or the frown of the critic ; Avhether 

 he be lenient or severe, I must bear with patience the part 

 allotted me, and only hope this work may be useful to some 

 of my readers." 



This is the plan as practised by Mr. Koberts ; the rest of 

 the book consists of the author's views upon the different sys- 

 tems of pruning, thinning, and of propagating the vine, with 

 remarks upon the border as formerly made. A description 

 of several kinds of grapes, for early forcing and other pur- 

 poses, is added, and his own system praised and recommended 

 as superior to any other. 



MemarJcs relating to Mr. Roherts's System. — From what 

 experience I have had in fruiting the vine, it is my opinion 

 that the plant is weakened and permanently mjured by allow- 

 ing it to bear fruit thus early. To show how this can be done, 

 however, is one of Mr. Roberts's objects in writing his book ; 

 there is no difficulty, where the border has been properly pre- 

 pared, in fruiting vines the second season after planting ; but 

 9 



