42 



RIVAL SYSTEMS OF VINE-CULTURE. 



TlLomson's Wliite Lady Dowiies. 

 Black Prince. 

 Black Cliainpion. 

 Black Cluster. 

 Buckland's Sweetwater. 

 Groveard Sweetwater. 



To tliese, others might be added, but the selection 

 given is sufficient for all ordinary purposes. 



Where there are plenty of vineries, I would recom- 

 mend such grapes as the Frontignans and Muscats to 

 be grown each in houses by themselves ; at the same 

 time they will do quite well as classed in the lists I 

 have given. 



RIVAL SYSTEMS OF VINE-CULTURE. 



While I am preparing the fifth edition of this work 

 for the press, a keen controversy is being carried on in 

 the horticultural journals as to the merits of what is 

 designated the " extension system " of vine- culture, as 

 compared with the " restrictive system," one section of 

 writers maintaining that the proper mode of cultiva- 

 tion, where long-continued vigour and fruitfulness are 

 desired, is to allow one vine to develop and extend till 

 it has filled the house with bearing-wood. Another 

 section as confidently maintain that vines can be kept 

 in perfect health and vigour sufficiently long for all 

 practical purposes on the " restrictive system " of cul- 

 ture — meaning by that a system which only supposes 

 one or two bearing-rods to be trained from each vine, 

 and where the method of pruning is what is called the 

 close-cutting system, where the new wood is all cut 

 back to one eye at the base of each lateral Thus a 

 question of such importance is raised that I do not 



