THE GRAPE. 127 



often more healthy and ripen earlier than else- 

 where. We may say, in general, that a high, 

 dry, warm, calcareous, or silicious soil is best. 

 But any soil which will produce a good crop of 

 Indian corn will also give good grapes. Full 

 exposure to the sun is desirable for the roots 

 and also for the tops. Training upon trellises on 

 the warm side of buildings will favor early ma- 

 turity. Protection from exhausting winds, by 

 means of evergreen belts, or high fences, will 

 also prove advantageous. 



In the early stages of the vine a good growth 

 of wood is desired. Hence the soil may be en- 

 riched with stable manure, as for corn, but not 

 sufficient to make excessive growth. After the 

 second year the object will be to supply such food 

 as will induce and sustain fruitfulness. As is 

 plainly indicated by a chemical analysis of the 

 wood and of the fruit, and also as has been 

 confirmed by practical tests, potash, bones, and 

 superphosphate of lime are the specific food for 

 the grape. Unleached wood ashes, if they can be 

 obtained, may be applied at the rate of four to 

 eight quarts to a vine, according to its size. An 

 annual dressing of fifty bushels of unleached 

 hard wood ashes per acre would probably be 

 sufficient for most lands. In lieu of this, three 

 hundred pounds of potash, dissolved and poured 



