90 THE GRAPE CULTURIST. 



fails in others, is patent to every casual observer. 

 Whether these failures are attributable to the injudicious 

 selection of varieties, or to the mode of culture, is not 

 always easy to determine. That the climate of both the 

 Northern and Southern States, as well as that portion of 

 the United States lying west of the Rocky Mountains, is 

 congenial to the vine, is abundantly proved by the 

 numerous varieties found growing wild over this vast 

 region of country. No doubt there are particular varie- 

 ties which are better suited to one section than to another, 

 and that the same situation and exposure that would be 

 most suitable for a vineyard at the South, might be the 

 worst that could be selected for the North. 



A situation protected from the cold north winds, so 

 as to insure sufficient heat to mature the fruit, is always 

 desirable in a cold climate ; but in a hot one the heat 

 may be so great as to exhaust the powers of the vine by 

 a too rapid evaporation from its leaves, and it conse- 

 quently fails. 



Nearly all the writers on grape culture recommend 

 the declivities of hills and mountains inclining to the 

 south as the best exposure for a vineyard ; and the next 

 m order are the southeast, east, southwest, but never a 

 north or a full western exposure. Virgil said, "Nor let 

 thy vineyard bend toward the sun when setting," and 

 these words are as applicable at the present time as they 

 were two thousand years ago. 



A full southern exposure is, no doubt, preferable in 

 the Northern States, and if the land descends to the 

 south, so much the better ; but if very steep, it will cost 

 more to prepare and keep in order than if it is level. 

 While I admit that a sidehill is a very desirable location 

 for a vineyard, I am quite certain that there are many 

 situations equally good that are perfectly level, or 

 nearly so. 



I have often observed that the success of a vineyard- 

 ist was attributed to his soil and situation, but never to 



