VINEYARD AND OUT-DOOR CULTURE). 163 



some caution should be exercised with regard to those 

 aspects which lie open to the winds that bring with them 

 the damp and fogs of summer ; consequently, it is objec- 

 tionable to choose a slope toward the sea. Each tract of 

 country has its own peculiarities,' and an acqaintance with 

 the neighborhood will enable any observant mind to de- 

 cide in this particular. There is no advantage in following 

 to the letter the advice of those who, too often, persist in 

 believing a south-east slope to be imperatively necessary 

 men who may have prospered well enough in -their own 

 country and climate, are sometimes wedded to a certain 

 faith, and have not always sufficient tractability of mind 

 to alter their practice or adapt it to a difference of circum- 

 stances. If we consider that along the eastern shores the 

 damp air which is brought from the ocean almost invariably 

 brings on a tendency to mildew and rot, it is evident that 

 in such a region it would be much better to adopt a spot 

 which is sheltered by higher ground on the eastern side. 

 At the same time, a low or moist situation should by all 

 means be avoided, or one where the air is liable to be 

 stagnant at times. The next most important item is a dry 

 under base ; a rough rubbly gravel subsoil, with a con- 

 tinued descent below, will generally prove naturally well- 

 drained, but in all examples to the contrary it ought to be 

 made so by artificial means. 



Nothing conduces more to prosperity than a soil strongly 

 impregnated with carbonate of lime, or having limestone 

 rock beneath. If any body is sceptical in this, they may 

 be easily convinced by referring to analysis, or more 

 simply by examining the incrustation left on the edges of 

 the leaves after the evaporation of that excessive perspira- 

 tion, which sometimes takes place in hot and cloudy 

 weather, while the growth of the plant is young. There 

 is perhaps no plant which exhibits more clearly than does 



