90 MY VINEYARD. 



UNDERDRAINING. 



Underdraiiring may be considered as well nigh indis^ 

 pensable, and I have yet to see the soil which it would 

 not benefit, so far as grape culture is concerned. Its ad- 

 vantages consist in the increased temperature, amounting 

 to ten or twelve degrees, which it gives tlie soil by rapid- 

 ly carrying off all surplus water. This difference in tem- 

 perature is, in many regions, the difference between success 

 and failure. The drains should be put in so as to come 

 between rows, and not directly under them. They ought 

 not to be less than three feet deep, nor more than twenty 

 feet apart, unless the soil is naturally very dry. 



DEEP TILLAGE. 



Another requirement is that the soil should be deeply 

 worked. The chief advantage of this is the same as that 

 derived from underdraining. The soil being open and 

 light, the water passes rapidly through, thus preventing a 

 decrease in temperature which would result.froni its evap- 

 oration. Another advantage is the readiness with which 

 the roots of the plants penetrate the soil in all directions. 

 I have seen some vineyards, quite successful, planted on 

 land which had been simply plowed, as for corn ; but it 

 can not be doubted that a more thorough preparation 

 would have produced still better results. 



