Annual Cultivation of the Soil. 203 



ANNUAL CULTIVATION OF THE SOIL. 



HPHE soil which nourishes the vine, like all others on 

 which crops are raised, requires to be exposed to 

 the fertilizing action of atmospheric agents. It must 

 also be preserved from the development, thereon, of 

 weeds. Lastly, it is advisable to guard it, as much as 

 possible, from the action of drought, during the summer. 

 These various results are obtained by means of deep 

 and light plowings. These two operations constitute 

 the annual culture of the soil in vineyards. 



PLOWINGS. Two plowings are generally necessary 

 for a well cultivated vine. One is performed in Feb- 

 ruary or March, after the pruning and fastening of the 

 shoots, when they are provided with supports. The 

 second is effected at the end of spring, as soon as the 

 shoots have reached a length of twenty to twenty-four 

 inches. 



The depth of these plowings ought to be such as not 

 to reach the principal roots of the plants. Neverthe- 

 less, this depth must vary with the climate and nature 

 of the soil. In the South, where the roots penetrate 

 deeper, these plowings may reach the depth of six to 

 eight inches. In the North, they should not exceed 

 four or five inches. 



At the time of the first 'plowing, we must contrive to 

 lay bare the foot of the plants, by throwing the earth 

 into the middle of the space between the two rows. 



