16 - THE GRAPE. 
stand the constitutional habits, and adapt our treatment 
accordingly. Now, if we take into consideration, as stated 
above, that the exotic grape-vine is indigenous to, and 
flourishes best in those countries which have long and 
steady summers, and that those same —— 
paratively dry during the periods of rest, it seems only 
reasonable that we should keep up a warm pis equable 
temperature during growth, and also have the roots in a 
well-drained, or naturally dry substratum,—so far for its 
natural requirements. All that we have so far done, by 
attempting to acclimatize the grape, has not yet overcome 
these physical difficulties, neither will any future attempts 
succeed, unless we get a race of seedlings, crossed with the 
native varieties, and raised in our own climate. By en- 
couraging vigorous development, by a moist atmosphere, 
added to this required steady heat, and afterwards concen- 
trating the collected juices by a further continuance of 
the latter principle, with air more freely admitted until 
the approach of maturity, afterwards reducing the tem- 
perature, and moisture as ripening progresses, it will bend 
to the will of the most fastidious enthusiast. 
By the aid of glass houses, either with or without arti- 
ficial heat, all this can be accomplished, and as they can 
be erected of any size to suit the pecuniary means. or 
eaprice of different persons, a grapery is within the reach 
of a poor man. How gratifying would it be to the me- 
chanic, and small tradesman, to have attached to his 
_ homestead a small house of grapes,—what an appendage 
- o his little domain, and with what exulting feelings sae 
i view his crop as “he sat under his own vine,” 
