PEARS AND GRAPES. 



6S 



as the apple or pear, it will be conceded that this fruit 

 has not received that attention which its importance 

 demands. 



One great obstacle to the successful cultivation of 

 some of the best varieties of this fruit, is the destruction 

 of the vine, by the severity of our winters. 



This difficulty may be overcome in a great measure, 

 in two ways. First, by attending to the early ripening 

 of the wood ; and secondly, by proper protection during 

 winter. . 



All stimulating manures have a tendency to produce 

 a too luxurious growth, which is prolonged till late in 

 the fall ; and winter comes, with its frosts, and finds the 

 vine wholly unprepared for the change, and the conse- 

 quence is an untimely death. A moderate growth is all 

 that is really desirable. The wood is much more likely 

 to be short jointed, and thoroughly ripened, and conse- 

 quently hardy. 



Leaf mould, and a judicious application of bone dust 

 is all that ordinary soils need, as these ingredients 

 afford all the elements necessary for the growth of both 

 vine and fruit. Secondly, the vines may be, and in fact 

 ought always in our latitude to be, laid down and covered 

 with soil, or carefully wrapped in straw. By this means 

 a gentleman in an adjoining town has been able to 

 raise the Isabella in a good degree of perfection nearly 

 every year. Healthy vines thus secured, start from 

 one to two weeks earlier than those left unprotected. 



Grapes must have air, light and a certain degree of 

 heat. These essential elements the God of Nature 

 generally provides bountifully. All that man has to do, 

 is to prepare the soil, and care for the vine, which soon 

 becomes a fascinating employment. Any man, with a 



