THE CULTURE OBftiHE GRAPE. 325 



CONCLUSION. 



The grape vine, in Italy, and in Spain, and tie islands 

 of the Mediterranean, as also in its native potion, is 

 found to be a plant attaining great age and size ; not- 

 withstanding this, the cultivators of France have so 

 changed its characteristics, that, in some districts there, 

 by their skill, you may find it brought almost to the con- 

 dition of an annual ; two or three years being the usual 

 time at which they are renewed by layering, and being 

 so close, that it is with difficulty you can pass among 

 them. 



With regard to soil, they present as striking a contrast ; 

 they are successfully cultivated in vineyards, where there 

 appears scarcely soil sufficient tO' retain moisture enough 

 to keep life in the plant ; vineyards, enjoying equally 

 good reputations, are situated where the soil is a rich 

 loam. 



Climate and exposition, as well as soil and manure, 

 have a great bearing on this cultivation. What these 



