CULTURE. 203 



manurings ; thus augmenting the thickness of arable soil. 

 Further, as this is devoid of grass seeds, the vineyard may 

 be easily kept free from weeds for several years. 



On the other hand, in calcareous soils, or when the subsoil 

 alone is very calcareous, the latter must not be brought to 

 the surface, or even mixed with the arable soil. We all 

 know that carbonate of lime is detrimental to the vine; 

 consequently, it is useless to mix it with the organic clay- 

 siliceous or other soils in which the roots grow well, or even 

 to place it on the surface, where the rain would carry it to 

 the roots. Such a trenching would cause the leaves to turn 

 yellow, and consequently prove its harmful effect. It is bet- 

 ter in such cases to subsoil. 



Trenching under suitable conditions frequently removes 

 the excess of water from damp soils, diminishes their 

 coldness, and renders assimilable the matters which otherwise 

 could not have been utilized by the vines. 



(c) Manuring and Planting. Manuring may be done at 

 the same time as trenching; this method is very good. 

 It may also be done, when planting, with farm manure, or 

 chemical fertilizer; the quantity used being guided by require- 

 ments. 



In selecting manures care must be taken not to use on 

 already very calcareous soils, road sweepings of calcareous 

 material or debris from old buildings; they induce chlorosis, 

 as has been often proved. 



If grafted rootlings are used, further manuring should be 

 done when planting. It is important that the young 

 grafted rootlings should attain as great a development as 

 possible during the first year, in order that the joint may 

 become perfect, and the roots fully established. Those grafted 

 vines which, for some reason or other, are weak during the 

 first year of planting, generally remain so. Therefore, it is 

 always necessary after the land has been trenched to dig 

 holes large enough to allow all the roots to be preserved; 

 they must not be planted with a dibble, as the roots, being 

 left only ^ or i inch in length, are reduced then to the state 

 of ordinary cuttings. 



In transplanting, the various organic manures (guano, 

 oil-cake, etc.) are preferable to chemical manures, as they 

 tend to keep the soil loose and friable round the roots. 

 Chemical manures, when in too close proximity, often burn 

 the roots and stem, considerably affecting the welfare of the 



