46 Notes and Gleanings. 



of indigenous varieties were much greater than I had previously supposed, or 

 else that attempts were in progress to introduce and acclimatize many that were 

 of foreign origin. Both is no doubt true ; for among those that I did not know 

 were some stated to be natives of other than the European continent. Among 

 these last may be named the araucarias, ^coming from South America, — 

 remarkable for the singularity of its appearance rather than for its beauty, 

 and that — although I believe that it suffered from an extreme and unusually 

 severe frost of a few years since, as it is frequently seen of a considerable size — 

 may, perhaps, be considered as in some degree acclimatized. Without being 

 positive as to the fact, I may here, perhaps, state that it sometimes seemed to 

 me that the foliage of the trees in England was thicker and more luxuriant 

 than that of the United States. If this is so, whether it is owing to a moister 

 and milder climate, greater fertility of soil, or other cause, until more certain of 

 the fact, it is unnecessary here to consider. Of one other fact, to the advantage 

 of England, I feel more confident ; and that is a much greater exemption in that 

 country from vermin and noxious insects destructive of vegetation than in the 

 United States ; at least, neither such, nor the effects of their ravages, are there 

 noticed as it is so frequently in the last-named country. I intended to have 

 said something, in this letter, about flowers ; but have occupied so much of it 

 with trees, that I have left myself no room for it. Joseph S. Cabot. 



Paris, France, Nov. 8, 1867. 

 Editor " American Journal of Horticulture." 



I SEND herewith a photograph of a Concord grape-vine that was cut from 

 my vineyard on the 7th of October last, and which was exhibited at the Fair 

 of the St. Louis Agricultural and Mechanical Association, where it received 

 the first prize as the " best sample from a vineyard." 



My object in sending it to you is, that you may have it engraved for the 

 Journal, that your readers may see how a grape-vine should look when the 

 most natural mode of culture is adopted. 



I am well aware that the readers of horticultural books and periodicals are 

 accustomed to seeing pictures of grape-vines ; but, in nine cases out of ten, 

 they are ideal representations, instead of being drawn from Nature. Hence I 

 send you a correct photograph of the original vine. 



We have already a superabundance of literature supposed to be devoted to 

 grape-culture and wine-making, while the principal portion of it tends to bewil- 

 der rather than to instruct. 



I consider grape-growing as simple a.e corn-raising, and wine-making as easy 

 as cider-making. 



I once thought that grape-vines conld be taught good manners, behave them- 

 selves, grow in a genteel manner, set their fruit, like huge " waterfalls," in the 

 right place, and produce uniform canes on their extended arms, as we have 

 been taught to believe by the theoretical, book-producing Solons of the past. 

 But, alas ! my vines would rebel ; and, after five years of warfare with the knife, 

 I entered into a compromise with them, and said, " If you will grow good wood 

 each year for the next year's fruiting, just enough to cover the trellis, I will use 



