194 REMARKS 



ensuing spring a crop of potatoes is plantedy 

 the digging and working of which during sum- 

 mer, again promote the object of preparation. 

 After the crop has been gathered, it is the prac- 

 tice of some of the best cultivators to sow a crop 

 of esparcette, (a grass much cultivated in the 

 Canton de Vaud) or clover, which is turned 

 under when in blossom, by deep ploughing, and 

 suffered to decompose ; a practice, which probably 

 may not be required in Pennsylvania, is when 

 the clover has decomposed, and become incorpo- 

 rated with the soil, to mine the grounds of the in- 

 tended vineyard; and the small loose stones, 

 with which the earth is there filled, are collected 

 and put aside till the moment of preparing the 

 soil for the reception of the cuttings, at which 

 time the small stones are left at the bottom of 

 the trench, and serve as a drain to carry off the 

 moisture of the ground, and thereby ensure a pro- 

 per dryness, so favourable to the roots of the 

 young plant. 



The agriculturalist will at once perceive the 

 object sought by this process, and realize the 

 indispensable necessity of a careful preparation 

 of the soil for the reception of the cuttings, by 

 a complete and entire decomposition of the sod 

 by which the site of the intended vineyard has 

 been occupied. 



So important is it considered by the Swiss 

 vine dresser, to get rid of all humidity in his 

 grounds, that it is not uncommon to see the vine- 

 yard, which from springs or local causes, is at 

 all exposed to such a disadvantage, covered with 

 rubbish from the demolition of old buildings, and 



