VTNEYAUD CULTURE. 677 



localities to wliich it is naturally adapted that " the vine yields a 

 harvest the product of which is almost certain, whereas other crops 

 are not always to be depended upon ; that it needs the least labor 

 relatively to the profit received; that it banishes fallows; contin- 

 uously occupies the whole extent of the country that has a suitable 

 climate; that it is adapted to all kinds of soils, and occupies those 

 that will produce only useless thorns and briers; that it furnishes 

 labor at almost all seasons, to all ages, and for both sexes ; that it 

 yields several important products arid valuable merchandises, andj 

 finally, that it requires little manure, allowing this to be applied to 

 other crops. 



Soil for Grapes Grapes will give good results in soils 

 of various composition, but they appears to thrive better where there 

 is a certain admixture of pebbly or gravelly matter. 



Situation A vineyard may be located in a valley, on an 

 elevated plateau, or on a hill side, but narrow vales are little adapted 

 for vine -culture on account of the dampness of the atmosphere pre- 

 venting the ripening of the grapes, while there is greater exposure 

 to spring frosts. Nor are the crowns of high hills more favorable, 

 as the air being too sharp and constantly in motion, hardens the 

 skin of the grapes. Unsheltered plains produce very good grapes, 

 and inclined plains or hill sides are well aaapted. The proximity of 

 lakes seems to exert a favorable influence. 



Exposure Some writers advise a southern exposure exclu- 

 sively; others prefer the north; while many think it a matter of 

 little moment. It is probable, therefore, that the best exposure 

 must be determined by circumstances the combined influences of 

 latitude, elevation, the nature of the soil, and the frequency of white 

 frosts in the locality. The vine especially dreads a damp atmosphere, 

 for such injures the quality of its grapes. Therefore, as a general 

 rule, exposures open to the influences of cold and damp winds must 

 be avoided. 



Preparation of the Soil This is a most important part 

 of successful grape-culture. One of the evils most to be feared for 

 a vineyard is a soil containing too much moisture. In such a soil 

 the vine will rot, its life will be short, its produce limited, of 

 inferior quality and ripening slowly. If the soil be of this character, 

 then the first step will be to drain it. Too much importance cannot 

 be attributed to this subject of drainage, not merely as a means of 

 escape for the surplus water of the soil, but also as affording access 

 to the air, which will warm the roots by its direct influence, impart- 

 ing its own temperature to the earth through which it passes. 

 Wnile alleviating the effect of a drought, by depositing its own 

 moisture on the sides of the passages through which it flows, it also 

 gives off the latent heat by which the water was kept in a state of 

 vapor. 



Choice of Vine, Propagation, Etc. In the choice of 

 plants, the grower must be guided by the experience of others in his 



