GRAPE-VINE. 75 . 



are thrown out. As an experiment, I one- year, by 

 successive heading, had the fruit of four successive years 

 on the plant at the same time, and the fall being favor- 

 able, the second crop ripened its fruit. Where the 

 fruit branches are frequently topped, and the wood be- 

 comes ripe, the sap ceases to flow and the fruit cannot 

 ripen. This is the case at the vineyard of Mr. Duhme. 

 In our hot climate no more lateral branches should b^ 

 taken from the main shoots intended for next year's 

 fruit than to give them the necessary length. The 

 fruit branches should be topped when in blossom be- 

 yond the second eye from the last blossom,- and after 

 that allowed to grow without topping. In our climate, 

 to ripen the fruit a portion of shade is necessary, for 

 where there is growing young wood, there is of course a 

 full flow of sap to the fruit, without which it shrivels 

 and drops off. 



" This day I visited a German settlement on the 

 Ohio, commencing about twelve miles above the city and 

 extending about four miles. The hill commences close to 

 the river and rises gradually ; the usual bottom land 

 being an the opposite side of the river. Tlie soil is 

 porous, and well calculated, in my-opinion^ for the culti- 

 vation of the grape, and nearly the whole of the four miles 

 is occupied by vineyards, and there are also some on the 

 top of the hill. Two of the vineyards belong to English- 

 men ;• the-owners of all the others are Germans. 



" Most of tlie vineytirds in this vicinity (Cincinnati) 

 have suffered ■ severely from the rot, and some vine- 

 dressers, expecting in the early part of the season to 

 make from 2000 to 4000 gallons of wnne, will not make 

 100. Yet their vineyards are on the sides and tops of 

 the hills, fully exposed to the sun and air. But the 



