Choice of a Situation for a Vineyard. 19 



sun may not strike the shoots until after the frost has 

 disappeared. 



Thus we see how difficult it is to say what degree of 

 success a vineyard planted on any particular spot will 

 have, so much do certain causes, apparently unimport- 

 ant, influence the result. Chaptal thinks that all soils 

 in which the fig-tree, the soft-shelled almond and the 

 peach-tree (ungrafted) will grow well and yield fine 

 fruit, are adapted to the vine. 



[The question of exposure is a new one to planters in this 

 country, and hence the importance of observing the results of 

 observation and experience in older lands. The suggestions 

 in the text appear to be very sensible, and, guided by their 

 home experience in the northern portion of the vine-growing 

 region of Europe, our German vine-dressers selected south- 

 ern slopes for their vineyards. It has seemed, however, that 

 the exposure of the vines to the freely moving currents of air, 

 was a more important element of success, in most cases, where 

 these vineyards were situated on river hills, than the exposure 

 to the sun on the southern slopes. As the vineyards extended, 

 it often happened that other exposures were occupied, and 

 it was soon observed that those which inclined to the north 

 were equally successful. A well-founded prejudice, sustained 

 by observation, exists against a bold eastern and south-eastern 

 exposition, on account of the greater liability to frost, or 

 rather the greater damage which is done by the frosts of 

 spring, and even by the cold of winter, where the vines are 

 exposed, while frozen, to the direct rays of a bright sunshine. 

 It often happens that the shoots are destroyed in the open 

 situation, whereas, if but partially shaded, even by one an- 

 other and by the stakes and trellises, and by a different expos- 

 ure, they may escape the damage, even where the freezing 

 itself may have been equally severe. Hence, a western, or 



