314 HOTHOUSE CULTURE OF VINES. 



visit to that place in the autumn of 1829, I heard it computed 

 that the quantity of choice table grapes, the produce of that 

 season in the environs of the city, would amount to one hundred 

 thousand pounds, which, considering its northern locality, and 

 the infancy of this mode of culture in our country, is certainly 

 a degree of progress worthy of our admiration. 



A marked intelligence and skill seemed to every where 

 exist among the votaries of this interesting culture ; and from 

 one of those who seemed pre-eminent in the success of his 

 course of management, I recently solicited the details of the 

 practice he had adopted, which I now have the satisfaction of 

 transcribing, at the same time commending to those interested 

 in the subject, the good sense, discernment, and intelligence 

 which distinguish the whole course of the remarks. 



"The success I have had is to be ascribed to some care in 

 the first instance, in preparing my borders. The compost is 

 in no part less than two feet in depth. As to the ingredients 

 of this compost, they were such as are recommended in the 

 standard works for the vine. Since my vines came into a 

 bearing state, the soil has been further enriched by a liberal 

 allowance of stable manure spread and dug in during the au- 

 tumn every year. In this way a vigorous growth of the vine 

 has been secured. To ensure fruit in great abundance and 

 also of good quality, I have given much attention all through 

 the season to close dressing keeping the vines clear of super- 

 fluous wood ; by extirpating in the first place, the lateral 

 shoots from the fruit-bearing branches ; and secondly, by top- 

 ping these last, all but the leading one, at a point a few eyes 

 above the fruit, and the leading shoot also when it has attained 

 such a length, that there is little danger of the bursting of such 

 buds as are wanted for the following year. Whether the cane 

 or the fan shape be the better form for the vine to afford the 

 greatest quantity and best quality of fruit, I have as yet no 

 settled opinion. My vines have all been trained in the latter 

 form. The English gardeners, generally, I believe, prefer 

 the cane form : those with whom I have conversed on the sub- 

 ject say, that by their method they get as much or more fruit 



