148 
tainly very few patches of ground in America that can match in poverty the 
mountains of Champagne, the hills of Burgundy, or the slopes of Medoc; nor 
would it do to conclude that manure should not be applied, for although some 
say itis hurtful to the wine in its quality, it is yet an open question whether 
this isso or not. Meanwhile the practice is to manure, although sparingly. 
PREPARING THE GROUND, PLANTING THE VINES. 
« 
This is probably as well understood in America as in France. We usually 
break up to the depth of two feet and drain thoroughly. In many parts of 
France they trench to the same depth, but in many other parts this is imprac- 
ticable, unnecessary, or injurious. Here, the distance between the vines is from 
eighteen inches to two feet, according to their size. We, however, are compelled, 
by the greater vigor of our vines, to place them five and six feet apart. 
In Burgundy, Champagne, and some other districts it is the practice to renew 
the vigor of the vines, by laying down the cane and rooting the plant in a new 
place, which quite breaks up the original lines, so the plough cannot be used. 
This is doubtless a good way to renew the atrength of the plant, but it is 
objected to by high authority, on the assumption, that the older the stalk is the 
better the wine will be; on the other hand, Champagne wine dressers have 
attributed to this ‘practice in a great measure their almost total exemption from 
the vine disease. 
But then again, others attribute that exemption to the general and long estab- 
lished custom of spreading over the vineyards a bituminous shale containing 
sulphur, a well-known antidote; and here we would recommend most strongly 
to our countrymen a renewed and sustained effort to combat mildew with sul- 
phur. The experfence of France and other countries is entirely in its favor, and 
its use is still felt to be necessary, and is still kept up. 
We think Americans have not been thorough enough, and patient enough. 
Let them try again, and this time let them begin early, and to be sure to follow 
carefully these rules on the subject, which have been hitherto much better promul- 
gated than observed. On rich and level land, a common plan in some districts 
is to set out double rows of vines at wide intervals, in fields chiefly devoted to other 
crops. ‘The free exposure to sun and air thus secured seems largely to augment 
the yield. and this will be understood by any one who has noticed the superior 
productiveness of such of his vines as grow bordering on a wide alley or other 
open space. This is very different from planting vegetables, &c., among the 
vines, which is a bad practice. : 
WIRE TRELLIS. 
These are becoming quite popular here, as we think they are in America also, 
notwithstanding the cheapness of wood. The size of wire preferred is number 
16, and but two wires are used. Our large vines would need three wires. They 
are stretched to strong posts set 20 feet apart, passing intermediately through 
holes of smaller posts or stakes. On the lower line, about 18 inches from the 
ground, the fruit-bearing wood is trained, while the upper line, about 18 inches 
above the other, supports the new wood. Many prefer to allow the fruit- bearing 
cane to do service two years, instead of one only, as is the practice in America. 
There is no doubt that with wire trellises the pruning, tying, pinching off, &c., 
can be much more cheaply done than where the training is to stakes, and from 
the way the clusters depend from the horizontal cane, it is easy to see that there 
must be also a superior access of sun and air, and a greater ease in gathering the 
vintage. 
It is a common practice to go through the vines with a plough every fall, and 
throw up a good ridge of earth against the stalks. The Hungarians have a 
more effectual way of guaranteeing against the cold of their vigorous winters, 
