PREFACE. 



The object in pi«isenting this little treatise upon the cultivation 

 of the native grapo is not to promulgate new theories or principles, 

 but to elucidate the practice of those already known. Neither is it 

 offered for the purpose of instructing those who are already familiar 

 with the subject, but only for those who do not know and are seeking 

 knowledge. 



For several years past I have been urged to give the results of my 

 experiments in grape culture to the public. I hare now partially, at 

 least, complied with the request, stating the difficulties that have 

 been met and how they were overcome — not in finely-drawn sentences, 

 but in the plain and perhaps homely language of a practical horticul- 

 turist. 



Scientific terms that are not familiar to all have been avoided as far 

 as possible, as it has been my aim to make the subject so plain that 

 none could accuse me of misleading, if I did not properly direct 

 them. 



The horizontal arm and renewal system of training* has been given, 

 as I believe it to be the best for general vineyard culture as well as 

 for gardens, where circumstances will permit of its being used. It is 

 now twelve years since I trained the first vine with horizontal arms ; 

 and though various systems have been tried since that time, none 

 have given me such uniform and satisfactory results as this. It may 

 not be the best system known, but is certainly a good and reliable one. 



