APPENDIX. 201 



and they require different treatment. The more variable 

 nature of our climate, the greater heat experienced for three 

 or four months in the year, and the comparative coolness of 

 the nights during the same period, have a great infltfence 

 upon the vines, as do also the severe droughts with which 

 we are occasionally visited in the heat of summer. * * * 

 In selecting the ground for a vineyard, give that kind the 

 preference which is free from clay within fifteen or eighteen 

 inches of the surface, and is perfectly dry. Ground abound- 

 ing in springs, after thorough draining, is sometimes used, 

 but should not be selected if a preferable kind can be ob- 

 tained. Sand, slate, limestone formation, will answer well. 

 Side hills with a S., S. E., or E. aspect are generally pre- 

 ferred, leaving the N. (N. E. near the sea-coast) and W. 

 winds broken off, by trees, hedge, stone or board fence. 



In the latitude south of the Highlands of the Hudson, I 

 find that the Isabella grapes ripen quite as well when 

 planted in a level field, protected from the North and West 

 winds by woods or hedges, as on declivities. Several of 

 my vineyards are thus located, and as far as I can perceive, 

 the fruit ripens at about the same time, and is of the same 

 quality as when the vines are planted on steep side-hills. 

 I think, however, that north of the Highlands side-hills 

 would be preferable. 



To prepare the ground for a vineyard, the best way is to 

 turn under the whole of the surface soil from fifteen to 

 eighteen inches in depth, early in the spring, after the frost 

 is out of the ground, by ploughing twice in the same fur- 

 row. This will place the richest part of the soil in a posi- 

 tion where it will give the greatest supply of nourishment 

 to the vines. Few vineyards in this country have been 

 planted in this way ; but the cost is so small, and the ad- 

 vantages so great, that it should be done, wherever there are 

 no rocks or large stones to prevent it. Instead of adopting 

 this method of preparing the ground, many persons have 

 been content with digging large holes where they intended 

 to plant the vines, and placing in the bottom of these, six or 

 eight inche; of good soil, previous to putting in the plants. 

 A still greater number have not taken the trouble to resort 

 to either plan, but have planted the vines with the same 

 carelessness that they would a common animal, instead of 

 Q5 



