190 THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



The grape vine requires from four to six months, ac- 

 cording to the kinds, to perfect its fruit. (See August 

 Muscat.) Where the season is free from severe frosts 

 this length of time, and there are no other obstacles, as 

 mildew, blight, &c., the vine may be cultivated. In hot 

 climates, near the equator, there is too much rain ; and, 

 were it not for this trouble, it is not likely the vine would 

 succeed, as it requires a season of rest, and enough of 

 cold to cause the leaves to fall. 



" The same latitude does not always allow the grape 

 to ripen its fruit in an equal degree of perfection. The 

 south of England has the same latitude with some of the 

 vineyards on and near the Rhine which give good wine ; 

 but the greater humidity and obscuration of the sun pre- 

 vent the ripening of the fruit, and the observations of 

 Dr. Daubeny have proved that the ripening of fruits 

 depends more on the illuminating rays than on the calor- 

 ific or chemical rays." 



Planting the Vines. — If rooted vines are to be planted 

 in the vineyard, this operation may be performed at the 

 most convenient time after the fall of the leaf, and the 

 ground is in a good working condition. It should be 

 done with care, spreading the roots cautiously out. If 

 scions of the vine are to be planted, and where the 

 frosts are not very severe, they may be put, immediately 

 on cutting, into the earth where they are to remain. If 

 it is considered necessary to guard them, during the 

 winter, from the frost, they should then be put into 

 boxes with sand or coarse earth, and kept in a cool place, 

 just above the freezing point, and then plant them out as 

 early in the spring as possible. 



