CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 119 



the vine maintains an upright position. In such a posi- 

 tion, the upright flow of sap is strong, and the break of 

 the bud is for wood-growth rather than for fruit. We 

 infer that the position of a vine upon a wall is some 

 check to its growth, that it will develop fruit-buds to 

 some degree, but that a tangled and crowded mass of 

 growth is not conducive to fruitfulness. "We also infer 

 that the elongated trunk of the vine in the forests is 

 for the simple purpose of climbing to the light ; that its 

 length is of no account, provided light and a spreading 

 support are obtained at the top ; and that a horizontal posi- 

 tion is a healthful check to growth, and a condition of 

 fruitfulness. Now, supposing we could cut away the 

 whole naked trunk, and drop the vine on a trellis, in 

 the form of the top of the tree, to within four feet of the 

 ground : would the essential conditions of healthy devel- 

 opment be changed? Let us see. We know that sap 

 will course through a long, hard, and dry-looking trunk, 

 and show vigor at the extremity ; but we cannot for a 

 moment believe there is any gain (rather a loss) by such 

 long passage. We know the vine likes air and light ; yet 

 there is a limit to these : exposure to high winds must be 

 avoided. The leaves and branches will be much less lia- 

 ble to be torn, and evaporation from the leaves during 



