SOIL, SITUATION AND ASPECT. 33 



sncli we believe to be the practice of all our success- 

 ful cultivators of the grape under glass. The cele- 

 brated vine at Hampton Court revels in the luxury 

 of an old sewer, and instances have come under our 

 own observation where the proximity of a vine to 

 a cesspool caused the production of large quantities 

 of most excellent grapes. In France, the application 

 of night-soil and sewerage to the vineyards has in a"' 

 cases injured the quality of the wine. That sucn 

 would have been the case, however, if the French 

 vignerons had acted upon correct principles in the 

 application of these powerful stimulants, we are 

 scarcely prepared to believe. And we h. o no doubt 

 but that by judicious management anu 'i careful 

 observance of the laws of nature one of the greatest 

 achievements in vine culture may yet be effected, viz , 

 the union of vigorous vegetation and stimulating 

 manures with the production of good wine. But so 

 far as present experience extends the soil for a vine • 

 yard must be light and not too liigJily manured — and 

 in all cases whether the object of culture be wine or 

 table grapes the subsoil must be warm and loose. 

 Cold borders are very prejudicial to the roots of the 

 vine, and are supposed to be an efficient cause of the 

 shanking of the grapes. It would appear from an 

 inspection of the subjoined tables that this desired 

 warmth might be secured to the surface soil at least 



