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to have been the case some time back. To test the point, in three different 

 localities the soil of a given area of vineyard has been cement concreted 

 over, leaving only small openings through which the vine stems can pene- 

 trate, and towards which the drainage water flows. This work was done, 

 I understand, at the rate of about 7d. a square yard. I had occasion to see 

 some of these vines, and I must say that they appeared to me quite as healthy 

 and strong-growing as their neighbors. I was given to understand, too, that 

 the fruit yield had over past years proved quite satisfactory. 



SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND PHYLLOXEKA. 



Whilst I was in contact with men competent to form an independent 

 opinion on the subject I took the opportunity to explain the attitude that 

 South Australia had taken up on the phylloxera question. I explained 

 that a reserve fund had been accumulated gradually by a moderate vineyard 

 tax, and that we absolutely prohibited the introduction of any portion of a 

 vine into our territory. The opinion was unanimous that there existed no 

 middle course open to us, and that it would be the most egregious folly to 

 introduce American vines until such time as we could not do without them. 

 I was pleased to find views which I have always very strongly held thus 

 authoritatively confirmed. 



SHEEP IN LANGUEDOC. 



However much wedded the four Languedoc Departments may be to vine- 

 growing, sheep are not unknown to them ; indeed, they are found to associate 

 together very well. I came across some flocks of sheep imported from Algeria 

 for topping-up purposes. The latter are grazed partly in the hilly waste 

 lands and partly in the vineyards so soon as the vintage has been completed. 

 I cannot say that I was much impressed with the general appearance of the 

 sheep: they are generally long-limbed, long-necked, narrow, flat-bodied animals. 



BORDEAUX AND ITS ENVIRONS. 



I left Montpellier on October 4th, and gradually worked my way towards 

 Bordeaux by Cette, Carcassonne and Toulouse. I lingered a day at Car- 

 cassonne, a city of considerable interest to the student of the middle ages, 

 for the old " Cite " is even to this day completely begirt by that double line 

 of fortifications and towers against which in the thirteenth century the 

 Black Prince threw himself in vain. As one proceeds in a north-westerly 

 direction towards Bordeaux, the agricultural aspect of the country changes 

 completely ; the " Midi " is gradually left behind, and with it to a large extent 

 the never-ending vineyard areas. At this time of the year it is ripening 

 fields of maize that begin to take their place, or else temporarily vacant areas 

 that are being prepared in anticipation of approaching cereal seeding opera- 

 tions. I noticed that well-groomed bullocks leisurely drawing single-furrow 

 ploughs altogether outnumbered the visible draught horses of the districts 



