GEOLOGICAL REPORT. 



13 



sively what mineral substances are demanded for the perfec- 

 tion of the vine : 



These analyses show that potash, soda, lime, magnesia and 

 phosphoric acid, enter largely into the composition of the vine, 

 and that grapes will succeed best on soils rich in those mate- 

 rials. The other ingredients are such as are found in nearly 

 all soils and may be left out of our investigations. 



It is a well established principle of vegetable science that 

 lime may supply the place of soda and potash, in part at least, 

 in some plants. The following analyses of vines from two 

 localities show this to be true of the vine also : 



I. II. 



Alkalies 45.82 27.98 



Lime 29.95 40.75 



If, therefore, soda and potash be deficient in a soil, their places 

 may be partially supplied by lime, should it exist in sufficient 

 quantities. 



Climate. The success of the grape on the islands and the 

 shores of the Mediterranean, shows their adaptation to a climate 

 in which the winters are short and mild, and the summers are 

 temperate and equable. In the Ionian Islands, where the grape 

 attains great perfection, it is never exposed to pinching cold or 

 burning heat, or to any very sudden changes from one to the 

 other. But the great profusion and excellence of the grapes in 

 India, at Candahar and Cabul, " the sunny home of the grape," 



