310 ON SOIL. 



hints on the aspect, soil, propagation, and culture of tht vine, 

 so as to produce an extra crop in the smallest given space. 

 We will then consider, first, the 



ASPECT. 



As our climate gives us plenty of heat for the maturation 

 of the vine, we have, therefore, more scope in aspect than any 

 other country. However, the most preferable is one from 

 south to east, or west. Shelter from high and often-recurring 

 winds is a prime consideration. Our western and southwestern 

 gusts of wind are very destructive to the vine when it is in 

 the full vigour of growth it dissipates all the accumulated 

 secretions of the foliage, and closes its pores, thereby totally 

 deranging the vital functions of the plant, which (although in 

 the height of the growing season) has been known to be sus- 

 pended for weeks. There are frequently many local circum- 

 stances affecting the shelter of walls and other buildings, 

 which, where they exist, must determine the best aspect for 

 training the vine. But if there be no such local circumstances, 

 we have no hesitation in stating that an eastern aspect is the 

 best. On such the sun shines with full force during the 

 morning, at which time there is something highly favourable 

 to vegetation in his rays, which seems to stimulate the ener- 

 gies of plants in an extraordinary degree, and to excite then* 

 to a vigorous exertion of all the functions appertaining tt, 

 vegetable life. 



ON SOIL. 



The soil most congenial to the growth of the vine and the 

 maturity of its fruit is a rich, sandy, turfy loam about two 

 feet deep, on a dry, gravelly, rocky, or sandy bottom; the 

 roots run with avidity into such sub-soils, lying secure from 

 the excess of moisture, which always accumulates in clayey 

 or compact soils. The excrementitious matter discharged 

 from the roots of a vine is very great, and if this be given 

 out in close and retentive soils, they quickly become delete- 

 rious, and a languid and diseased vegetation ensues ; this is 

 the great reason that so many failures exist, It may hence b<? 



