MARCH] THE VINEYARD. 253 



much of the ultimate success. That best adapted for a vineyard, 

 is a light, rich, deep loam ; on a chalky, limestone, flinty, or gravelly 

 bottom ; it should be naturally from one to two feet deep, of good 

 mellow earth, or made so by art; a deeper soil is unnecessary for any 

 tree or shrub whatever, that is not cultivated on account of its roots; 

 and although vines may shoot more vigorously in such, and produce 

 a greater quantity of fruit, which, by the bye, is very questionable, 

 yet they ripen later, and their juice is more crude than that of those 

 which draw their nourishment from earth within the influence of the 

 sun, air, rains, dews, &c. 



The situation should be on an elevation inclining to the south, 

 southeast, or southwest ;. and if having all these exposures, the 

 better, as the various kinds could have different situations according 

 to their natures and necessities. The ground shoutd have a gradual 

 descent, that the moisture may be drained off; but if too rapid, it 

 will be more difficult to labor, as the plough cannot then be used ; 

 and besides, it will be less retentive of manure, and consequently will 

 require a greater quantity, and more frequently administered. If at 

 a distance there are large hills, or elevated woods, to defend it from 

 the north and northwesterly winds, the better. 



The immediate neighborhood should be open ; and, if hilly, towards 

 the north and northwest, the better ; it should be free from swamps, 

 or widely extended woods; for, under such circumstances, the air 

 would frequently be replete with too great a quantity of moisture, 

 occasioned by the perspiration of the trees, and the exhalations from 

 the adjoining swamps, whereby both vines and fruit would be greatly 

 subjected to what is called the mildew. It has been observed in the 

 middle States, particularly by Mr. Peter Legaux, of Spring-Mill, 

 near Philadelphia, that the more easterly the exposure, the more 

 are the vines and fruit liable to become mildewed ; and that, in a 

 southwest exposure, they are less subject to it than in any other. 



Those who wish to cultivate grapes for the table only, and that 

 have not the advantage of the kind of soil above described, needjiot 

 despair of having good fruit for that purpose, as vins will grow and 

 bear well in any dry and tolerably rich ground ; that is, neither sandy 

 nor light to excess, nor too clayey or binding; for a tolerable stiff 

 loam will do well enough, with the assistance of good culture. 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 



Having made choice of soil and situation, the next thing to be 

 done is to prepare it for planting ; in doing of which, the following 

 method is to be observed : In the spring, if the soil is not naturally 

 rich, give it a good coat of well-rotted manure, or compost ; and im- 

 mediately plough it in as deep as can be done, with four or six stout 

 horses or oxen, and a strong plough ; after it has lain a month, cross 

 harrow it, and cleanse it from stones and the roots of noxious weeds. 

 About the middle of June, cross plough it again as deep as possible ; 

 in three weeks after, harrow it, and clear off all the roots of weeds 

 and large stones. Towards the latter end of August, plough it again, 



