2 



they, therefore, all come under the botanical name of Vitis Vinif era, of 

 which the different sorts, or "cepages" as they are called in French, are 

 only varieties. In a future chapter it is intended to describe a few 

 species of Vitis other than the Vinifera, amongst which will be the 

 various American vines, as they differ only in some minor respects 

 from the Vitis Vinifera, which is by far the most important. In this 

 chapter we shall confine ourselves to it as the type to which all vines 

 may be compared. 



There is a considerable difference between the wild and the cultivated 

 state of the vine in the former it is one of the most vigorous, fastest 

 growing, and longest-lived of plants, capable of covering hundreds of 

 square yards or climbing to the tops of the highest trees, but bearing 

 little fruit. In the latter, on the other hand, instead of being a 

 creeper as it is intended to be by nature, it is turned into a more or 

 less stunted shrub, its vitality is much diminished, and its life is 

 shortened to a great extent ; these apparent drawbacks being amply 

 compensated by the great increase in the yield which is thus brought 

 about; 



With the vine as with many other plants a diminution in the vigour 

 of the plant is marked by an increase in the production of fruit. 

 This is one of the wise provisions of nature for the perpetuation of 

 the species. As long as the plant is in full vigour, it centres all 

 its activity on itself, growing in a remarkable manner, but bearing 

 little or no fruit. When, however, it begins to get weakened by 

 any cause, natural or artificial, it seems to feel that its end is 

 approaching, and turns all its activity to reproduction or the produc- 

 tion of fruit. 



Many vignerons, knowing this, carry things to extremes and weaken 

 the vine, through excessive pruning, to such an extent that its very 

 existence is made difficult to it. Thus, by overdoing things, do they 

 obtain wretched results, for which they blame the soil, the season, or 

 any cause but the right one. The vine resents such barbarous 

 treatment. Growers must adopt a more rational course, and not 

 kill the goose which lays the golden eggs. This is contrary to the 

 opinion held by many vignerons, but is nevertheless true. It is what 

 Dr. Guyot, the eminent French authority on viticulture, tried to 

 impress on the vine-growers of France during his whole life. We 

 shall see more of this when we come to pruning. 



