The attention given to grape vines at the present time, is likely to lead to good results. Some years ago, we stated in this journal, that we were on the eve of important discoveries in new varieties; this is now realized, and fortunate possessors of good plants of desirable kinds, are reaping a harvest well deserved by their industry and anticipation of an unsupplied want.

There is a great deal said upon borders, and planting in good soil; enough almost to discourage some timid people who have not the materials at hand, when they would be glad to have a vine on their premises. But no one should be discouraged. We would have everybody possess a grape vine, whether they have one foot of ground to spare or an hundred acres; citizens especially, ought to plant them; there is no particular secret which need discourage any one. We have long known a vine, in a very small city yard, between high walls where the sun scarcely ever reached the root, that was carried to the top of a third story back building, formerly used for the drying of clothes. Here it threw out its beautiful leaves and glorious clusters in such abundance, that the proprietor had the pleausure of annually distributing bushels to his neighbors; one' advantage possessed here, was, that it was out of the reach of robbers - the owner kept the key emphatically.

Hoare, in his celebrated treatise on the grape vine, long since enunciated the fact, that preparation of the soil ensured the prosperous growth of the vines, and the annual production and maturation of fine crops of grapes, and that this process was highly deserving of being practically adopted at all times when circumstances permit; yet, he assures us, and practice authorizes the belief, that it must not therefore be supposed that vines will not grow and mature fruit, unless planted in well-prepared borders. Quite the contrary is the fact, for vines will do well in "in any unprepared soil that is not too stiff, and that has a dry bottom; but they grow quicker, and consequently bear greater crops of grapes within a given space of time, when planted in a soil that has been properly prepared for their reception:

"If two cuttings be planted," he continues, " the one in a soil of the former description, and the other in one of the latter, it will be found at the end of ten years, that the stem of the vine growing in the soil that was unprepared, will not be more than half the size of the one planted in the other; consequently, for every pound weight of fruit which the smaller stemmed vine can mature, the other will ripen very nearly three pounds. This difference occurring annually, is sufficiently great to repay most amply the trouble and expense of a border.

"Indeed, if vines could not be planted with any prospect of success, in any other situations than in borders set apart for that purpose, but a very small quantity of grapes would be grown compared with what the country is capable of producing and does produce. We have seen barns and outhouses in New England, covered with vines and fruit, where there was no border whatever, and which never, or rarely, received even a winter top-dressing. Various places may be observed in favorable aspects, where vines are trained, while their roots possess little or no soil at all on the surface adjoining their sites, the ground around being paved with bricks, or stone, or trodden hard. If the ground in such situations," says our author, and we can vouch for the fact, "adjoining the side of the wall or building, be opened to the extent of eighteen inches square, and as many deep, it will be sufficient to admit the roots of a young vine, which must be pruned to suit the place. If a wider and deeper space can be made, it will of course be better, but if not, that will do.

Loosen the sides and bottom as much as possible, and fill in with two-thirds of rich, loamy earth, and one-third of road or street scrapings, previously well-mixed together; and if necessary, the surface covering, whether of stone, brick, or otherwise, may be restored again to its former state, provided a space of about six inches square, be left open for the stem to swell in during its future growth; thus treated, they will generally do well, though not so well as under better treatment This is wholesome doctrine, and it is true. Indeed, it is hardly possible to plant a vine in any situation, in which it will not thrive, provided its roots can by any means push themselves into a dry place, and the aspect be such as to afford a sufficient portion of the sun's rays to elaborate the juices of the plant. This may be observed when a vine is planted near a-deeply-laid gravel walk; through the interstices of the stones the roots travel and perhaps enter the grass ground beyond. They possess an extraordinary power of adapting themselves to any situation, provided it be a dry one.

They will ramble in every direction in search of food, and extract nourishment from sources apparently the most barren, thriving where almost every other description of plant or tree would starve".

Such is Mr. Hoare's theory, and such thousands may find to be the fact. And yet this is no argument for the neglect of grape vine roots; where space does not admit of a larger border, winter mulching should be resorted to. We would thus advise the planting of the vine in the smallest garden spot - in short, in every spot where there is a chance of displaying the top to the sun and air - even where the sun does not reach more than for a few hours of the hot summer's day; we may calculate upon thousands of tons being produced in cities, which need not be dependent for this fine fruit upon farms in the country. Cities and towns, too, possess another advantage; they may grow the foreign kinds to great advantage, both for profit and amusement.

With plenty of light and air, and a little attention, a crop of fine grapes may be had in situations heretofore deemed of no value. And what an enjoyment may be had from the cultivation of a single vine or two! To call into existence and cherish such a beautiful plant, even among pent up walls, gives something of country delights; the amateur may well exclaim with Wordsworth: