OF THE VINE. 9 



o'clock, the mercury in the valley thermometery 

 commenced sinking, while that on the hill, at the 

 same time, began to rise; and the doctor observed 

 a perceptible current of warm air, flowing up from 

 the valley. At twelve o'clock, the thermometer in 

 the valley indicated twelve degrees lower tempera- 

 ture than that on the hill, and about the same 

 difference was observed until daylight in the morn- 

 ing. The rays of the sun also concentrate in a 

 valley, causing extreme heat, while on elevated 

 * ground they are more diffused, and the heat less 

 intense, and more uniform. 



PROPAGATING AND PLANTING. 



Grapes may be propagated by the seeds, by 

 layers, by cuttings or by grafting. If it is desired 

 to produce from the seeds^ they should be taken 

 from those clusters which are the earliest, largest, 

 and best ripened, and from those berries having 

 the least number of seeds. Like tends to produce 

 like, and by careful selection of the seed, all vegeta- 

 bles can be improved. There is however in the 

 vine, some uncertainty in its fruiting when raised 

 from the seed, owing to the fact, that in some cases 

 the vine is deficient either in stamens or pistils. 

 Many vines growing wild in the woods are barren 

 or male, which by engrafting, can be made product- 

 ive. The quickest way of raising grapes is from 

 layers, or from the root* 

 3* 



