BT THE TRANSLATOR. 195 



which I could never learn possessed any quality 

 but that of keeping the vineyard dry, by an ab- 

 sorption of the water. The preparation of the 

 soil, however, is the business of the practical 

 farmer, who is able to decide whether any mode 

 more favourable to the attainment of the object 

 is within the scope of our agriculture. It must, 

 however, at all rates be accomplished as the sine 

 qua non of the cultivation ; and the vigneron 

 who neglects this precaution, is afloat without 

 chart or compass, with but little hope of remu- 

 neration for incessant toil. 



The labour of the vineyard thus administered 

 will be threefold, and the expense increased in a 

 like proportion. 



Discouragement is the necessary consequence ; 

 and a cultivation which, if judiciously directed, 

 might fill our garners with plenty, is regarded as 

 without the ran;e of our capabilities, and aban- 

 doned in disgust. 



A result like this, however, cannot be antici- 

 pated ; it would be inconsistent with our national 

 character; and it only requires that the agricultural 

 community of our country should realize the 

 benefits at their command, to grace the rites of 

 Pomona with the ruddy treasures of autumn ; 

 and see in the press of every barn yard a 

 modern temple to the presiding deity of the 

 vintage. 



