CULTIVATION OF THE VINE. 165 



ARTICLE X. 



The second Labour. 



ALTHOUGH this work, in the opinion of some, 

 may appear of little importance, it has its advan- 

 tages, and deserves, in the execution, attention 

 and care. There are some vine dressers who 

 perform the operation immediately before they 

 tie up, or attach to the stake ; others at a later 

 period in the season, as, for example, at the 

 moment when the grapes begin to set, or fairly 

 to form. As the work is soon executed, it is im- 

 portant that the most favourable time for it 

 should be chosen. I consider the proper time to 

 be, just as the blossom has dropped, and before 

 the grape is actually developed. When this 

 work is done too early in the season, the fruit is 

 exposed to injury from hail, and does not gene- 

 rally prosper as well % as where the labour has 

 been seasonably given. Where, on the contrary, 

 it is postponed injudiciously, much injury to the 

 flowers may be apprehended, and consequently a 

 diminution of the fruit will follow, by working 

 among the vines during the blossom. 



In all cases, however, the labour should be 

 performed in a dry time, in order the more ef- 

 fectually to destroy the weeds. In a light sandy 

 soil, or a soil of gravel, which are both subject of 

 drought, the case is somewhat different, as in 

 either or both, this work should be performed. 



