THE FOREIGN ORAPE. 



Vitis vinifera, L. Vitacea 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 fertility of the 

 vine, as emblematical of prosperity." To trace its introduction and en- 

 tire 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 varie- 

 ties withstanding the extremes of our climate, without protection. 

 Between 1760 and 1770, Lord Sterling imported large numbers of 

 foreign grapes into New Jersey, with a view to wine. The experi- 

 ment 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 prop 

 agating esteemed varieties of the foreign 

 grape is by eyes, as represented in adjoining 

 figure. This is done by selecting a strong 

 bud and cutting it off from the remainder of 

 the branch, at about two inches above and 

 below, and planting it in a pot covered 

 about half an inch deep with light loamy 

 soil, then plunging the pot in a hotbed. By 

 this means every bud on a shoot can be 

 formed into a plant. 



Outdoor Culture. In sheltered locations, warm yards, in cities, 



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