146 MANUAL OF MODEKN VITICULTURE. 



salts into a more assimilable form, such, for instance, as 

 potash salts retained in clay in a state of insoluble combi- 

 nation. 



(C.) TIME MOST FAVORABLE FOR MANURING. 



The most favorable time for applying manures is generally 

 the end of winter (January, February, March).* The most 

 soluble manure should be applied last. It is important not 

 to expose fertilizing matters dissolving under the action of 

 rain before vines start to throw spring rootlets, which will 

 absorb them rapidly as they become assimilable. We must 

 not wait, especially in the Mediterranean regions, until the 

 period of drought has begun, as the moisture necessary for 

 the dissolution of salts might not be sufficient in the soil. 



(D.) METHODS OF DISTRIBUTING MANURES. 



Manures may be distributed in three different ways : 

 1st, in small basins formed round the plant ; 2nd, in long 

 trenches between the lines ; 3rd, over the whole surface. 



Distribution in basins or over the whole surface seems to 

 give similar results, which is easily explained, as the different 

 ploughings spread it from the basins. Distribution in 

 trenches has the disadvantage of destroying, every time the 

 manuring is renewed, the young rootlets developed in the 

 trenches. 



Chemical fertilizers, occupying a very small volume 

 (sulphate of ammonia, nitrate, potash salts) are placed at the 

 foot of each plant, or simply spread broadcast over the ground, 

 and buried by the ploughs or scarifiers. 



(E.) PLOUGHING. 



Vines require every year a first ploughing to aerate the 

 roots. This may be regarded as the most important and 

 indispensable cultural operation ; and a series of scarifyings 

 with the object of keeping the surface loose. 



These operations have great analogy in the different 

 countries of Europe with regard to their special character 

 and the order in which they are performed. 



1st. First ploughing. The first cultural operation con- 

 sists in ploughing, with the object of aerating the soil ; the 

 future growth of the vine depends greatly on the way in 

 which this is performed. 



* June, July, August in Victoria. 



