Preparation of the Soil. 27 



drain, while the flame of the candle at the upper end 

 will frequently be extinguished by the force of the cur- 

 rent escaping at this point. This abundant and rapid 

 circulation of warm air below the surface of the soil, 

 warms it while making it more salubrious. This vine- 

 yard at once became unusually healthy and vigorous, 

 and its maturity was accelerated by two or three weeks. 

 We think it unnecessary, here, to enter into the details 

 of drainage. We refer our readers to special treatises 

 on that subject ;* or, rather, we advise landholders hav- 

 ing such work to do, to apply to the contractors of 

 drainage, who are now to be found in every Department 

 of France, and who, provided with special tools and 

 skilled workmen, will do the drainage better and quicker, 

 and at less cost, than if undertaken by the landholder 

 himself. 



[Too much importance can not be attributed to this subject 

 of drainage, not merely as a means of escape for the surplus 

 water of the soil, but also as affording access to the air, which 

 will warm the roots by its direct influence, imparting its own 

 temperature to the earth through which it passes. While 

 alleviating the effects of a drought, by depositing its own 

 moisture on the sides of the passages through which it flows, 

 it also gives off the latent heat by which the water was kept 

 in the state of vapor. 



Our vine-planters are urged to drain their heavy, clayey 

 lands, wherever it is possible, and the suggestion of Mr. Du 

 Breuil is an excellent one, wherever professional drainers can 



*A very practical work on "Drainage," by John H. Klippart, Cor. Sec'y 

 of Ohio State Board of Agriculture, is published by Robert Clarke & Co., 

 who have a new edition just ready. 



The reader is also referred to the very practical work of Mr. George B. 

 Waring, Superintendent of Drainage of Central Park, New York City. 



