1 8 Vineyard Culture. 



grown. A certain portion of the vines of 1' Hermitage 

 are also exposed to the west. 



What other conclusion can we arrive at, from these 

 conflicting opinions, except that the best exposure can 

 not be indicated with absolute certainty ; that it must 

 vary according to local circumstances, and be deter- 

 mined by the combined influences of latitude, elevation 

 above the sea-level, as well as the nature of the soil 

 and the frequency of white frosts in the locality ? 



The vine especially dreads a damp atmosphere, for 

 such injures the quality of its grapes. Therefore, as a 

 general rule, exposures open to the influence of cold 

 and damp winds from the north-west, the west and 

 south-west, must be avoided. In the northern portion 

 of the climatic zone adapted to vine-culture, the south- 

 ern, south-eastern and eastern exposures are prefer- 

 able. In the southern portion of that belt, the northern 

 exposure may be added to the foregoing, provided the 

 angle of inclination is not over 20 degrees. This last 

 exposure is even necessary in the warmest localities, in 

 order to remove the vine from the action of too intense 

 heat. 



The elevation of the land above the level of the sea 

 must also be taken into account in choosing an expos- 

 ure ; the higher the land, the more southern must be 

 the exposure, especially in the northern portion of the 

 zone adapted to the cultivation of the vine. Where 

 the soil will retain a great deal of moisture, the north- 

 ern and eastern exposure, being generally dryer, must 

 have the preference. Lastly, the west must be chosen 

 in localities where white frosts prevail, in order that the 



