CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 99 



development and early maturity of the fruit; at the same 

 time guarding against such fat lands as will produce rank 

 and immature growth. Some varieties of the grape (e.g. 

 the Rebecca) require more strength in the soil, more clay, 

 than others; but this should never so abound as to be 

 called heavy land. 



In respect to the aspect of hill-slopes, the testimony of 

 the majority both in this country and in Europe is de- 

 cidedly in favor of a southern exposure. An eastern 

 exposure is good, as having the benefit of the early sun ; 

 a south-east aspect being still better, as receiving the 

 warmth for a longer time. A western slope is shaded 

 from the morning sun, an hour of which is reckoned by 

 gardeners to be worth two hours of the evening sun. 

 After the cool moisture of night, all plants long for the 

 warm rays of early day. A northern slope is oftentimes 

 so situated as to receive the sun's rays from rising to set- 

 ting. Such aspects may be allowable in many cases, 

 especially for early kinds, and in portions of the country 

 where the fruit has abundant time to mature; yet it- 

 must be for other reasons, and not because the slope is 

 desirable, that this aspect is chosen. An exposure to 

 sweeping winds is objectionable, causing much more 

 rapid evaporation from the expansive foliage, and thereby 



