40 Vineyard Culture. 



ties is not yet well established, they may be said to 

 number at present, over twelve hundred. These dif- 

 ferent varieties are very far from possessing the same ad- 

 vantages for cultivation ; they are not all adapted to the 

 same climate, or the same kind of soil ; they are espe- 

 cially far from yielding alike, either as to quality or 

 quantity. From this springs the necessity of choosing 

 from among them such as are best adapted to the cli- 

 mate, the soil of the locality where the vineyard is to 

 be laid out, and the description of wine which it is in- 

 tended to produce. This choice constitutes one of the 

 most important operations of vine-culture. The fol- 

 lowing are the chief conditions which ought to influ- 

 ence it : 



ist. That the vine ripen its fruit thoroughly in the 

 climate for which it is intended. 



2d. That it be adapted to the soil where it is to be 

 cultivated, so as to develop itself with sufficient vigor, 

 and that the quality of its product be not impaired. 



3d. That its average product be as large as possible, 

 and of good quality ; that is to say, that its berries con- 

 tain, in suitable proportions, the elements best adapted 

 to the manufacture of fine wines. This double ad- 

 vantage will be the more valuable because it is seldom 

 met with, for frequently the most productive varieties 

 yield but poor grapes. 



4th. That its period of leafing be backward in the 

 spring, without delaying the ripening of its fruit, so 

 that it may the more easily escape the injurious effects 

 of spring frosts. 



5th That it possess a sufficient degree of vigor to 



