202 Ficld-Ctclture of the Grape in Massachusetts. 



Trenching (and the concomitant manuring) invites the roots into the 

 lower soil ; abundant moisture and manure force the vine into a rampant 

 growth ; the wood ripens badly, and the buds are imperfectly developed. 

 The fruit, though large and showy, will not be of so good quality as it 

 would be under more favorable circumstances ; and unripened wood with 

 immature buds, ripening the fruit later and later annually, constantly dis- 

 appoints the hopes of the cultivator. 



It is in this way, perhaps, that such different opinions obtain among 

 cultivators in regard to quality of any given variety of grape ; the various 

 circumstances of soil, aspect, culture, being sufficient to justify the most 

 diverse opinions. 



Now, the grape loves heat : it is a child of the sun, and should have 

 both light and heat in as large measure as the circumstances of the case 

 permit. Heat at the root is as necessary as it is in the surrounding air, — 

 I had almost said more so, — and to obtain this heat at the root is one of 

 the first needs of grape-growing. To this end, the soil should be light and 

 warm, and the vines should be planted in rows running north and south, 

 so that the sun will shine upon the ground in its whole length for the 

 greater part of the day. 



Sheltered situations increase the heat, and prevent its being dissipated 

 by the prevailing winds. Screens of Norway spruce, or other evergreens, 

 are a good alternative where neither hills, buildings, or adjacent woods, 

 furnish the needful shelter ; but by all means secure heat if it be possible. 



If the soil is not by nature warm and friable, it can, in most cases, be 

 drained, lightened, and warmed by methods so well known to cultivators, 

 that they need not be repeated here ; and, if the most vigorous and hardy 

 grapes be planted, the planter will not be disappointed in his crop. 



Indeed, one of the most prolific vineyards that I know of in the State 

 had a heavy and wet soil before it was redeemed by deep, thorough drain- 

 age with drain-tiles, and such skilful culture as lightened and warmed the 

 soil. The warmest soils, however, should be preferred. 



When our people plant grapes, they usually prepare the ground by heavy 

 dressings of manure. So constant is this practice, that I stop here to con- 

 sider it briefly, and to give my reasons for arriving at a different conclusion. 

 It is proper to state in advance, that slow-growing grapes require forcing. 



