Chap. XII. O F T H E V I N E. 407 



The laft ftirrlng, which is given about midrummer, is Wo long 

 before the vintage, and therefore is almoft always followed by 

 great quantities of weeds. Might not this lafl: culture be performed 

 later ? 



I have experienced that thefe inconveniences may be avoided, 

 without falling into others. To this end, after the vine has been 

 pruned, before winter, let the earth be firft flirred in that feafon : 

 the fecond ftirring, which would otherwife be immediately after 

 winter, may then be deferred till towards the end of May : and the 

 third flirring may be given in the beginning of Augufl, or about the 

 end of July. 



This has been my method of cultivating my vines, ever iince their 

 being planted in beds. The beds are dug by hand, and the allevs 

 are ftirred with the plough or the cultivator. 



The firfl: flirring before winter produces the fame efFedl on the 

 vineyards, as it does on our beds of corn. * The water is drained ofF 

 and the winter's frofts penetrate the earth, divide it, and keep it 

 loofe and light. 



It remains in this flate till towards the end of May, when it re- 

 ceives the firfl ftirring after winter: and, to have a more certain rule 

 to go by, the fecond ll:irring fhould not be given till after the props 

 have been ftuck, the vines have budded, and the flioots have been 

 tied up to the props. This flirring may be given either a little 

 fooner, or a little later, than is mentioned above, according to the 

 feafon. Sometimes one may be obliged to hailen it, if the ground 

 is greatly burdened with weeds: but at whatever time it be per- 

 formed near the end of May, it is certain that the vine will then 

 have made great flioots, and that without having been difturbed by 

 any flirring of the earth during the time of its tender vegetation. 

 As I have tried this culture in hot and very dry years, I have feen 

 that the earth has not grown hard, but has retained the necef- 

 fary degree of moiflure, fo as to be ftirred with the greatefl 

 eafe. 



The third flirring, which is the fecond after winter, being defer- 

 red till towards the end of Augufl, or at leafl till the end of July, 

 weeds havs not time to grow in any quantity between that and the 

 feafon of the vintage : and what will render it ftill more beneficial,. 

 is, that this is tlie time when the grapes fill moft, and are drawing 

 towards a Hate of maturity. 



1 may 



