CULTIVATION OF THE GEAPE VINE. 



THE GKAPE VINE. 



This well-known plant, the Vitis vinifera of the bota- 

 nist, has, during the whole historic period of the world, 

 occupied in many parts of the earth a large share of 

 man's attention. Its origin can be pretty clearly traced 

 to Asia, though it is now said to be growing wild in 

 many parts of the south of Europe ; and what are sup- 

 posed to be indigenous species or varieties are found in 

 America. It was probably first introduced into Europe 

 by the Eomans soon after the foundation of Kome. 

 What may be termed a temperate climate is that most 

 suitable for its cultivation. The soil it delights most 

 in is a calcareous loam on a dry subsoil. The varieties 

 of grape vines may be said to be endless. The French 

 Government on one occasion made a collection of 1400 

 varieties in a nursery at the Luxemburg, and this was 

 supposed to be only a moiety of those in cultivation 

 in France alone. 



The cultivation of grapes has at the present day as- 

 sumed an importance in this country which, fifty years 

 ago, no one could have contemplated; partly owing to 



A 



