ON ROTATION OF CROPS. 187 



Mrs. B. It is supposed that the species which is best 

 adapted to the soil will thrive so well as to choke the oth- 

 ers ; but it would be a more judicious mode of proceeding, 

 to try by experiment, which kind of grass was best suited 

 to the soil, and sow that alone. 



On the confines of the cultivation of vineyards, that is to 

 say, in those latitudes where the vine with difficulty ripens, 

 the cultivator aims at producing a large quantity rather 

 than a superior quality of wine. For this purpose the 

 vines are frequently trained on trees, which multiplies the 

 fruit at the expense of its flavor. 



Caroline. It is singular that the same mode should be 

 resorted to, in climates which are too cold, as well as in 

 those which are too hot for the vine. In Italy they are 

 trained on trees, to afford them shade ; but on the cold con- 

 fines, shade must be very prejudicial, more so, I should 

 have thought, than would be compensated by the increase 

 of production. 



Mrs. B. On the limits of the vine countries, the great 

 demand for common wine, in order to avoid the expense 

 of its carriage from more distant parts, ensures a sale for 

 wines of the lowest description. 



Maize or Indian corn forms an assolement with peas 

 and French beans: it affords a support to these climbing 

 plants ; and, being of the grass tribe, its exudations are 

 favorable to leguminous plants. 



Emily. It is inconceivable what an abundance of pro- 

 duce the earth yields under the influence of a southern sun. 

 In Tuscany we have seen flourishing together, in the most 

 perfect harmony of culture, the olive, the vine, corn, and 

 a variety of leguminous plants. 



Mrs. B. And yet the soil of Tuscany is not very favor- 

 able to vegetation. It is, indeed, well cultivated ; the 

 Tuscans, after the Belgians, being esteemed among the 

 best of agriculturists ; and they have, as you observe, the 

 advantage of a most prolific sun. It is for this reason that 

 they, in common with the cultivators in warm climates, 

 aim at producing a numerous simultaneous assolement; 

 whilst the Belgians, with the inhabitants of other temper- 

 ate climes, must content themselves with a succession of 



1028. What is said of mixing different kinds of grasses together 1 ? 

 1029. Of what does the cultivation of the vineyard aim in high latitudes! 

 1030. What takes place on the limits of vine countries'? 1031.^ 

 With what does maize form an assolement! 1032. What has Emily 

 geen in Tuscany! 



