914 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



The culture is much the same as that of the lemon tree. It flowers 

 but oiiee a year, in the spring, and the fruit is perfected about every 

 other year. It resists the cold better than the lemon tree. It flourishes 

 at Mce and Cannes, where the lemon does nofc grow successfully. 



THE GRAPE VINE. 



The grape loves the hills. It prospers at some distance from the sea 

 and 200 or 300 meters from its level. All land seems to agree with it, 

 but especially that which is stony. 



The vine is propagated by branches or shoots, having 6 or 7 buds, 

 and about 50 to 60 centimeters long, which are buried in the ground 

 with the aid of a piece of iron, leaving only one bud, or eye, out. 



Before planting the vines the land is dug up about 1 meter in depth, 

 the vines are planted from 80 centimeters to 1 meter distance, and 1J 

 meters is better. 



At the end of four years the vines commence to produce. A vine in 

 good condition, well cared for, ought to produce at least 1 kilo of 

 grapes for each stock. At the third year they commence to tie up the 

 loose branches to stakes or trellises. The vines are manured with 

 woolen rags, bone shavings, and stable manure. 



The soil must be worked two or three times per year, for the vine will 

 permit no other to partake at her table. It must be white and light, into 

 which the vine roots may push at will and receive all the nourishment 

 possible. 



The pruning is done in January and February, and two or three times 

 a year the straggling and useless branches are trimmed off to prevent 

 the sap being wasted on branches not destined to bear fruit. The best 

 means of pruning is to leave one large branch at the bottom of the vine 

 with two buds, or eyes, only, which will produce two new branches for 

 the next year, and to leave at the top of the vine a fine branch with 

 several eyes. Every eye will produce a branch with at least one bunch 

 of grapes ; and the year following, this branch will be cut away to per- 

 form the same operation with the two new branches which will have 

 been left at the bottom of the vine. 



The vines are never watered, as that would injure the quality of the 

 wine. i 



The country of Men tone produces scarcely enough wine for a month's 

 use. Italy and the center of France furnish the rest. 



The wine of Mentone is somewhat strong and heady. We class it 

 between the wines of Burgundy and Spain. It is the type Maruverno. 

 The grapes are sweet-black, with round seeds. 



Other varieties are the Varlentin, the Rossese, the Salerno, and the 

 Tobacco; but all are in such small qic-antities that they are mixed in the 

 cellars and are known only as a Maruverno. 



Latterly some proprietors have brought Blips from Alicante. The 



