CULTIVATION OF THE VINE. 175 



ARTICLE XIII. 



Weeds to be destroyed. 



THE mischievous effects of weeds on the 

 growth and prosperity of the vineyard, is well 

 understood by the Swiss vine dresser, who, if he 

 has the least care over his vine grounds, or the 

 slightest regard for his professional reputation as 

 a skilful cultivator, has taken care that his planta- 

 tion shall present a neat, clean cultivation, from 

 which the noxious weeds that infest the vines are 

 eradicated before they inflict a serious injury on 

 the plant and its product. In the vineyard in 

 which weeds are allowed to accumulate, the 

 quality of the vine suffers an injurious change; 

 the product is sensibly lessened, and sometimes 

 nearly cut off, and the plant rapidly hastens to 

 premature decay. These effects are caused by 

 the dampness engendered, as the rays of the sun 

 are shut out, and thus the ground is not sufficient- 

 ly heated to afford to the plant a degree of 

 warmth, necessary to enable it to appropriate the 

 salts, which enter so largely into the principle 

 of vegetation. 



The strength of the manure destined to the 

 nourishment of the vineyard, is absorbed and 

 taken up by the weeds; the vine will be covered 

 by destructive parasitic plants, which bring on 

 a premature age, and all the labour and care of 



