THE FOREIGN GRAPE. 



Vitis vinifera, L. Vitacece of Botanists. 



From the earliest record of foreign lands, the vine has ever been 

 held in high esteem ; its fruit valued for the dessert as well as for 

 the making of wine, and itself held as symbolic of happiness and 

 plenty. " The pages of Scripture abound with allusions to the fer- 

 tility of the vine, as emblematical of prosperity." To trace its intro- 

 duction and entire history up to this date, would occupy more room 

 than the limits of our present work will admit : we shall therefore 

 content ourself by saying that the original type of the vitis vinifera 

 came from Persia ; that it was probably cultivated in Britain not 

 many years after the commencement of the Christian era ; that the 

 varieties native of Britain and America, are quite distinct ; that those 

 native of Britain are not edible, while those of our own land embrace 

 a number of edible species. The success of the Foreign varieties, 

 so far as tried north of 34 of latitude, has not been satisfactory, 

 few or no varieties withstanding the extremes of our climate, with- 

 out protection. Between 1760 and 1770, Lord Sterling imported 

 large numbers of ^oreign grapes into New Jersey, with a view to 

 wine. The experiment failed, as have those of Longworth, and others 

 since. 



Of the longevity of the vine, records are made, giving it existence 

 from six hundred years down, with immense length of vine, and 

 stems six feet around, or sufficient to afford the cutting out of planks 

 fifteen inches broad. 



Propagation. The same practices as noted under head of American 

 Grapes are applicable here, but that most generally pursued in propa- 

 gating esteemed varieties of the foreign 

 grapes is by eyes, as represented in ad- 

 joining figure. This is done by select- 

 ing a strong bud and cutting it off from 

 the remainder of the branch, at about 

 two inches above and below, and plant- 

 ing it in a pot covered about half an inch 

 deep with light loamy soil, then plung- 

 ing the pot in a hot-bed. By this means 

 every bud on a shoot can be formed into 

 a plant. 



Out-door Culture, In sheltered locations, warm yards, in cities, 

 &c., such varieties as the Black Prince, Trammer, and Royal Mus- 



264 



