CULTIVATION OF VINEYARDS. 



This is very simple, but has some important pecaliarities that would not be likely 

 to occur to beginners. It has been already stated that i\iQ feeding -roots of the vine, like 

 its leaves, are annual, and that at the end of the season their work proper is forever 

 done, and they perish and are renewed, like the -leaves. 



In a well-prepared vineyard, during the growing and productive season, the soil 

 is filled with these from very near the surface to the depth at which good entertain- 

 ment for them ceases. 



It is important that these should meet with no interruption to their action from 

 the beginning to the end of the season. 



These rootlets put forth by nearly equal step with the springing of the leaves, and 

 the co-work assigned to both is simultaneously accomplished at about the time of their 

 fall. The nearness of the rootlets to the surface is measured by the point at which the 

 constant degree of moisture necessary to their health has existed during the season ; 

 and under favorable circumstances, this is so near as to not permit the working of the 

 ground by its movement in masses beyond the depth of two or three inches, after the 

 early part of June, without injury. But the frequent stirring of the surface to a little 

 depth, is advantageous up to the first of August or later. 



Plate No. 79. 



Plate No. 81. 



5 ^\5^^ 



Plate No. 80. 



* The season of cuUivation begins in November, after the action 

 of rootlets and leaves has ceased. The ground may now be worked 

 with a plow, moving it en masse, or reversing and thoroughly disinte- 

 grating it to the depth of four or five inches, or even more, varymg 

 according to circumstances of open or compact soil, and position of 

 roots in regard to surface. 



The first operation is averse plowing— turning the furrows froyn 

 the stocks, turning round to the right if an ordinary plow is used ; a 

 line of soil will remain along the direction of each row in which the 

 vines stood, which can not be touched by the plow, and which to complete the opera- 

 tion, must be moved by hand with hoes, either of the ordinary kind or the Indens 



Plate No. 82. 



