204 MANUAL OF MODEEN VITICULTURE. 



this limit the stumps would be completely covered with water,, 

 which is injurious. In any case the banks must allow a 

 constant depth of 10 inches of water all over the bed, and be 

 made 6 to 8 higher to stop the waves formed by the wind. 

 Further, the banks must be built 10 per cent, higher than 

 the required height, on account of the subsidence of the 

 earth. 



The banks should be built before planting, so as .not to 

 injure the young plants and to leave time for the soil to settle 

 before the water is spread over it ; trenching and levelling 

 should be done before. The soil for forming the banks may 

 be taken on the spot from either side, but it is preferable to 

 take it on the lowest side to equalize the level. 



It is advisable to strengthen the banks by covering them 

 with grass, but care should be taken not to use any grass 

 detrimental to the vineyard ; trifolium repens seems to give 

 the best results. It grows well in very dry or very damp 

 soil, and forms a kind of dense felt all over the soil. In 

 vineyards exposed to the winds, and if the beds are very 

 large, it is advisable to cover the banks with rushes or bam- 

 boos to prevent the erosion caused by the waves. 



