272 Vineyard Culture. 



feared, say in April, the rolled mats [Fig. no], are 

 placed in the roads where the rows 

 of plants terminate ^ two workmen 

 then unroll one of these mats, along 

 the wide alley separating the double 

 line of plants, and, lifting it up, spread 

 it out. Two other workmen, pro- 

 ceeding along each line, fasten this 

 mat to the wires, by means of wil- 

 [FiG. no.] low-slips placed at distances of six 

 Mat Rolled up. and one-half feet. They proceed 

 thus until the mats are spread and fastened. 



These mats should remain until such time as the ber- 

 ries begin to be formed. They are not at all in the 

 way of the needful operations, such as nipping, clipping, 

 and fastening the shoots, applying sulphur, etc. When 

 they are to be removed, cloudy weather is chosen, so 

 that the plants may not suffer too much by the change, 

 taking care, also, that the mats are quite dry. First, the 

 ties fastening them to the wires are cut, then two work- 

 men take hold of the ends of a mat, place it on the 

 ground, and roll it up ; the mats are then put under shel- 

 ter. This process of matting, including the removal and 

 storing, requires about six days* work per acre. 



During cold and wet years, in which the continued 

 rains of the fall prevent the ripening of the grapes, as 

 we shall explain further on, it will be very beneficial to 

 mat the vines again, at the beginning of September, to 

 protect the grapes from the influence of the rains. 

 These shelters should then be left until harvest. Of 

 course, this second operation must be performed in the 

 same manner as the first. 



