86 Tlie Western. Pomologist and Gardener. 1872 



to see that in the era of cheap wines the Scuppernong wine-makers will not be able to 

 compete with those whose product has the necessary alcoholic strength from the natural 

 secretion of sugar in the grape. 



What, then, is the course for the Southern vineyard owner to pursue ? It may be that 

 there are varieties of the Scuppernong family which are equally hardy and productive, 

 the fruit of which produces all the sugar required for an excellent wine. But if not, when 

 we consider that of our sweetest grapes the Delaware, Zona and Walter trace their parent- 

 age back to the wild Fox grape, and that the Virginia Seedling and Clinton are children 

 of the Frost grape, and that neither the Fox nor the Frost grape are naturally sweet, it is 

 easy to see what might well result from continued experiment in planting the seeds of the 

 Scuppernong. Indeed, looking at Europe, where, in the south, the sweetest grapes and 

 consequently those of the greatest alcoholic strength are found, it is reasonable to believe 

 that in the fruition of grapes and wine, as a branch of national industry in this country, 

 the same rule will hold good, and our Southern wines will be characterized by greater 

 body and strength, and our Northern wines by the greater fragrance,delicacy and bouquet. 



What I have here written will apply to many of our Northern varieties, which by the 

 zeal of their originators or disseminators are pushed on the market as wine grapes. No 

 man in America, at this day, need be deceived upon this point. Several elementary 

 works on wine-making treat of the chemical constituents of the must so fully that grape- 

 growers need not be ignorant of what they are and what their proportions should be. 

 Then the inventive genius of Mr. Twitchell, of Cincinnati, has produced scales which will 

 accurately determine the proportions of those elements in any given sample, with a little 

 reading and the expenditure of a few dollars every vineyard proprietor may come to an 

 intelligent conclusion as to the value of any grape for wine, which has the other requisite 

 qualities of hardiness and productiveness. And with the experience of others, and the aid 

 of scientific appliances at his disposal, he who shall hereafter plant vineyards with varie- 

 ties unfitted for the profitable production of wine, will have sinned against light and must 

 pay the penalty of a diminished profit. — Edward F. UnderhiU, in Ruralist. 



Tlie Rose — Its Propagation and Culture. 



By J. Cochrane, Havana, 111. 

 " When the cold frosts are nipping earth's beauty and bloom. 

 And Autumn is gathering the flowers to their tomb, 

 • We may sigh o'er their exit, and drop a sad tear — 



Soon, decked in new beauty, in Spring they'll be here." 



To travel the journey of life and the world destitute of flowers would not be unlike a 

 voyage on the mythological Lake Avurnus, with the god Charon as helmsman and pilot 

 through its fabled unnavigable waters. Rob June of her roses, Summer generally of her 

 flowers, the earth's jewelry — would be like taking the period of innocent, joyous child- 

 hood from human life, leaving the balance not worth the cost — not worth living for. 



Soil. — Roses will succeed in any good garden soil ; but, to have them in perfection, the 

 soil must be well enriched and deeply dug. The rose, like the vine and many othe'" 

 things, is a gross feeder, and is improved by heavy manuring. In a poor, lean soil, it is 

 impossible to bring out the beauties of any varietj'. A rich, strong vegetable mould, with 

 about one fourth its bulk of well rotted stable manure, is a standard soil for the rose. My 

 own experience is, the richer the soil, the better the bloom. 



Situation. — The rose will flourish in any situation, where the soil is prepared ; but it 

 is best, if it can be shaded from the intensity of the mid-day sun. If it can be so situated 

 as to receive the morning and evening sun, the bloom will be more perfect and last longer. 

 Some varieties are very tender, and are almost ruined by a full exposure. Roses should 

 not, however, be entirely shaded. 



Planting. — The best season for planting hardy roses is in the autumn ; or, if deferred 

 until spring, it should be done very early. If done late in the spring, they should be cut 

 back to a few buds. Any time after the first severe frosts is a proper time to commence 



