236 THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



unworthy to compete with the first-named. To have a cor- 

 rect idea of this matter, there should be some standard of 

 f|uahty to refer to. I do not remember ever to have met 

 with any such. My opinion of the characteristics requisite 

 to form a fine bunch of grapes, is, that the bunch be of me- 

 dium bigness, with the berries large, of an equal size, well 

 colored, and covered with a fine bloom. Very large bunches 

 are not always so equally well flavored as lesser ones, and 

 those weighing from eight ounces to one pound each, are 

 almost always the best. When exhibited at horticultural 

 shows, however, large size, if, at the same time, these be well 

 colored, Avill invariably be considered the best. 



The border that produced the grapes, which Dr. Lindley 

 considers superior to those raised by Mr. Roberts, is a very 

 fine one, and not very unlike the compost recommended by 

 me, to be used in a situation where it is necessary to remove all 

 the original soil ; but, in this border, they use liquid manure ; 

 and this is universally the case, when the border is composed 

 of turf, without a large addition of bones or other manures. 

 This application of an offensive liquid upon the surface of the 

 soil, is, in my estimation, more disagreeable than in burying 

 it ; and when the rich border is properly made, ramwater is 

 the only application requisite for the roots, on the outside of 

 the house. On the other hand, the border composed of loam 

 and rotten sods, although excellent, requires this application 

 of liquid manure, to cause the grapes to swell off large and 

 full. 



This discussion of the subject of manures is well worthy 

 the attention of cultivators. Instead of supporting Mr. 

 Hovey's assertion, that experienced cultivators held the 

 same opinions as he did, respecting the " quackery, so often 

 recommended," as the use of oyster shells, or boiled bones, 

 dead cattle, etc., I am rather inclined to believe, that \kQ ju- 

 dicious use of them is advocated ; certainly, it is admitted, 

 that they are promoters of vegetation. Chaptal even allows, 

 that the effect of manure is to increase the growth of wood 



