402 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



The spots most favorable for vineyards are the sides of 

 hills or mountains, descending southwardly, or to the east; 

 but to the south is best ; and let the soil be loose and mellow, 

 but not liable to be much washed by heavy rains. Stiff soils 

 are not good ; though by carting on much sand, and other 

 loosening manures, they will answer tolerably well. The 

 ground must be well mellowed by ploughings, and mixed 

 with sand, if not naturally sandy, and such manures as will 

 serve to make it rich and keep it mellow. Where the hill 

 sides are steep (and such produce the best vines) it is ad- 

 visable to cart on stones ot small and middling size to mix 

 with the soil, which help to keep it moist and warm ; and 

 a part of them are to be laid along in ridges on the lower 

 side of each row of vines, to keep the earth from washing 

 away. Round the vineyard let a good substantial fence be 

 made, which will keep out both Men and beasts. The 

 northerly side of the vineyard should be well protected 

 from the northerly winds. 



For a selection of vines for planting, Mr. Johnson recom- 

 mends the following, as being hardy and best-suited to more 

 northerly climates. The black Au-uernat; the black Orleans; 

 the blue-cluster; the miller grafie (these nrivike the best Bur- 

 gundy) the black Hamburg; the rtd Hamburg; the white 

 Muscadin; the Muscadella; the mclie blanc; the white Mo- 

 rillon; the white Au-vernat; and the gray Au-vernat. 



The seven following kinds also ripen in September; but 

 are not quite so hardy, and should therefore occupy the 

 warmer parts of the vineyard, or be planted in more south- 

 erly climates : The Chasselas blanc, or royal Muscadine; 

 the MalvoiS) or Malmsey; the gray Frontinac; the red 

 Frontinac; the black Lisbon^ the white Lisbon; and the 

 Chasselas Mir. 



In addition to these kinds, let the fox and the black- 

 grape, before mentioned, as being indigenous, be also added 

 to the list ; the former of which is probably inferior to none 

 of them. 



The next point is to select branches for the cutings with 

 which to plant the vineyard. These are to be taken from 

 the bearing part of the vines ; and among these, such as are 

 short-jointed, from which you may expect vines which will 

 be thrifty and fruitful. They should be sound, of a healthy 

 appearance, thick- set with eyes, and the nearer the last 

 year's growth the better. Let them be cut close to the old 

 wood, where they will be more firm ; and they are not to 

 be cut to their proper length, which is about five inches, 

 until you are about to plant them in the vineyard. Good 

 branches, of the length of three feet, may afford four or five 

 cutings; though those which are nearest to the old wood 

 are esteemed the best. 



