In a recent number of the Journal d'Agriculture Pratique, M. Joigneaux has given elaborate reports in regard to grape culture as represented in the Paris " Exposition." His last report is exceedingly interesting, and a resume of it will no doubt interest many of our readers. The report relates entirely to various modes of culture and training, and M. Joigneaux regrets that the efforts of those who have been brought forward most prominently, have been directed to an increase in the quantity rather than an improvement of the quality of the products. This, as he says, is very well so far as it goes, but it is certainly not enough if we take into consideration those first-class stocks (cepages) which have made the reputation of the best French wines.

We may here remark that the French have adopted a plan which would be well worthy the attention of some of our grape-growers' associations in this country. At Billancourt, a short distance from Paris, a plot of ground was set apart for the purpose of practically illustrating the various systems of training and pruning. Here the advocates of the different systems had the opportunity of giving actual embodiment to their various methods.

In alluding to the various processes brought forward at the Paris Exhibition, M. Joigneaux mentions particularly the process of M. Hudelot for multiplying the vines by means of what he (Hudelot) is pleased to call "graines d'Hudelot," which being interpreted signifieth Hudelot's seeds. It will no doubt surprise our readers to learn that these "Hudelot's" seeds are nothing but our single eyes! This process, as M. Joigneaux tells us, and as we have seen ourselves, has been periodically brought forward in France for some years, although it is as old as Speechly (1777), and has been fully described in nearly every work on grape culture written in the English language during the past fifty years.

The peculiarity of M. Hudelot's plan consists in sowing the eyes in the open ground. " Some years ago a great deal of noise was made about this process, and the inventor announced that he sowed the vine broadcast (a la volee), or in drills, just as we sow the seeds of wheat or carrots."

M. Hudelot's plan was tried at Billancourt, but failed, "probably because the eyes were buried too deeply."

We wonder what our French friends will say when we state that we grow vine plants from eyes by the million, and that in this country whole vineyards are planted out with vines raised in this way. But we generally raise the plants under glass with the aid of bottom heat, a method which undoubtedly possesses many advantages in addition to the mere facility with which the plants can be rooted.

M. Joigneaux is, however, of the opinion, that it is not so. much by his "mode de bouturage," as by his mode of culture, that M. Hudelot recommends himself. His process depends upon the principles adopted by M. Jules Guyot and M. Hooibrenk. It is essentially a renewal system; but unlike the plan of M. Guyot, where the long cane is placed horizontally, or that of M. Hooibrenk, where it is inclined at an angle of 1121/2 degrees, it consists in placing the stocks in line and uniting them so that the long cane of one will be wound (enroult) round the stem (tige) of the other. M. Joigneaux thinks that this plan will do with stout and vigorous stocks, but will fail with weak vines.

M. Joigneaux next passes in review the system of M. Trouillet, which consists chiefly in dispensing with stakes and trellises and making the vine support itself, the canes being annually spurred back to near the head, and the shoots trained " en gobelet" (goblet fashion), but condemns it on the ground that it involves too much labor.

The method advocated by Dr. Guyot seems to grow in favor, and is gradually extending its range. Dr. Guyot has published three very elaborate reports upon the state of viticulture in France. We have read them with great pleasure, and they will well repay perusal by all interested in grape growing. Since his system was published, many imitators have sprung up, and we believe that in this country we have greatly "improved" upon his plan. Upon this point, however, it may not be amiss to quote M. Joigneaux:

"They have sought by slight variations to distinguish their systems from his. One advocates a perfect 'horizontality;' another a bow, and a third an angle of 1121/2 degrees, while still another causes the cane to describe a spiral, so as to moderate the circulation of the sap and direct it to the production of fruit. All these details have in our eyes very little importance, the distinguishing feature being the mode of pruning, which is substantially the same in the systems of all these pretended innovators."

What all, without any exception, desire, is large returns, and we regret that, in order to obtain this, they too often injure the quality of the fruit. They do not consider sufficiently that large returns necessitate copious supplies of food for the plants; that abundant vintages require gross manures, and that thereby the wine loses more than is gained.

That which is most novel, most original, and (shall we say it ?) most eccentric in the viticultural exhibition of Billancourt certainly is the system of Dr. Gustave Krautz, of Perl (Prussia). His system is in extensive use in Perl, and appears to gain ground. Already it has imitators, and on this account demands attention. We can readily believe that it will yield large returns; but then it must be very exhausting, and it certainly is not very elegant, if we may judge by the specimens exhibited at Billancourt.

"Fancy a sort of box open on one side and having this open side placed downward. Through a hole in the upper side of this box passes a stout vine, while the four corners of the box carry iron supports which sustain a double pitch roof of sheet iron. Under this roof and on the box in question is arranged a stout frame, which serves to carry an iron wire on which a number of branches are plaited and curved in every possible direction. As we are not familiar with the explanations which Dr. Krautz has given of his process, we are reduced to the supposition, that the wooden box from which the vine proceeds is designed to keep the foot of the vine cool, and prevent the radiation of the terrestrial heat. As for the roof, it is clear that it is intended to protect the vine from late spring frosts."

M. Vignial shows a method of training in fan-shape, which presents a fine appearance; but, like the system of Dr. Krautz, it is suited only to strong soils.

M. Joigneaux alludes to many other systems which were illustrated on the grounds at Billancourt, but as no description is furnished, we note merely that of M. Marcon.

In this case the vigor of the vine is developed to the utmost possible extent; and to enable M. Marcon to attain this end, he has had abundant elbow-room given to him, the plants being placed at a distance of 2m. 25 apart - 71/4 feet What would M. Joigneaux think of the "elbow-room"

(coudies franches) demanded by some of our American growers, who place their vines 16 feet apart?

After a careful consideration of the whole subject, M. Joigneaux comes to the same conclusion that has long impressed itself upon our best grape-growers, which is, that in order to obtain the best wine grapes, the stocks must be confined within moderate limits; gross manures must be avoided, and every effort must be made to hasten the period of ripening of the fruit