6 TKANSLATOES' PKEFACE. 



derived. It is always important to gather a crop as soon as 

 possible, to cover the considerable expenses incurred in 

 planting a vineyard ; trenching, therefore, is more than ever 

 necessary ; it hastens the growth of the vine, and places it 

 in better conditions for its future development. 



" It is especially necessary for grafted rootlings. These 

 young plants, often weakly at the time of planting, and with 

 a root system always weaker than that of ordinary rootlings, 

 usually remain sickly when planted in soils which are not 

 favorable ; thorough trenching greatly facilitates their early 

 growth. 



" Generally, trenching to a depth of about 20 inches is 

 sufficient for American vines ; a greater depth, however, suits 

 them better. It may be done either by hand or plough. If 

 in both cases the soil is not very calcareous, the subsoil 

 should be brought to the surface, where it improves by con- 

 tact with the air and under the action of successive 

 manurings, thus augmenting the layer of arable soil. 

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

 be easily kept free from weeds for several years. 



u On the other hand, in calcareous soils, or when the sub- 

 soil 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 arable 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 conse- 

 quently prove its harmful effect. It is better in such cases 

 to subsoil. 



"Trenching, or subsoiling, under suitable conditions fre- 

 quently 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." 



