234 THE CULTURK OF THE GRAPE. 



mucli more hardy, far more luxuriant, and Lear better 

 and earlier. Tlie Isabella stock will, in two years' 

 growth, exceed anj' foreign varietj- 1 have tried, in four 

 or five years' growth, but any foreign variety grafted 

 will grow as rapidly as the native. I liave foreign vines 

 now, grafted last February, many with five and six 

 branches, each branch or stem from fifteen to twenty-five 

 feet, and they have until December next to grow, when 

 foreign varieties commence dropping their leaves. The 

 native varieties drop their leaves some six or eight weeks 

 earlier, except the Scuppernong, which continues to grow- 

 till sometime in December." 



" I train my vines on a trellis from seven to eight feci 

 high (of wire), but cannot follow the rigid system of 

 pruning recommended in European culture, and prac- 

 tised at the North. Where the vines are allowed to 

 grow with but little pruning, a trellis is far preferable to 

 the arbor, for many reasons ; but we have to so train our 

 vines, that not a ray of sunshine ever touches the fruit ; 

 otherwise the fruit loses much of its fine flavor and is 

 altogether robbed of its bloom, which, if it does not pre- 

 serve its flavor, at least adds to its beauty. The grapes 

 I raise (as an amateur) are said, by northern gentlemen 

 liere, to be far superior to any they ever tasted from the 

 hot houses at the north. There can be no climate in the 

 M'orld superior to this section (West Florida) for the for- 

 eign grape. I have tested the raising of the foreign va- 

 rieties, at least for six years, and have no doubt as to the 

 success of any one of ordinary intelligence undertaking 

 the business. The only objection in this place and im- 

 mediate neighborhood is, the soil is too sandy. This we 



