Page:A Treatise on the Culture of the Vine and, and the Art of Making Wine.pdf/70

 existence, in one of a shorter, in others of a longer period; but that these last methods have the advantage of perpetuating the peculiar qualities of the individual or variety."

It would be difficult to reconcile to this principle, the facts which history and observation afford us respecting the vine. In all the notices which history has left us, of its introduction into France, and its culture in that country, as well as in those which carry us back to the ages of fable, in Italy and Greece; there is, as far as I have been able to find, no mention of the propagation of the vine by seed. The materials, indeed, from which our information is derived, are scanty and obscure, but it is remarkable, that at this day, the unlettered vigneron of France, is scarcely aware that it is possible by this method to propagate the plant; and those who treat scientifically of the subject, rather mention it as a fact, which could not well be omitted, than one, from which useful results might be obtained.

The French writers have never, therefore, referred to their propagation by seed, the numerous varieties of vines which at this day cover a portion of Europe; nor, indeed, does it appear to be necessary, for daily experience shows, that to effect