



Europe they sow lupines, (a kind of bean,) or clover, and plough 

 them in when in flower ; and, the next year, they plant the vines. 

 Grapes will grow in almost any kind of soil, from nearly pure 

 clay to nearly pure sand ; but a mixture of the two with a little 

 vegetable mould will be the most successful. Put clay upon 

 sandy land, and sand upon clayey laud. The vine cannot bear 

 stagnant water about the roots, but loves to ramble in dry, open 

 soil. If the soil is not dry, build stone drains. Level ground 

 will answer; but the sweetest grapes and finest wines are always 

 grown on the hill-sides. The heat that is absorbed and I'adiated 

 from the ground does more to ripen grapes than the direct rays 

 of the sun ; and, on the hill-sides, the fruit has the advantage of 

 this heat. The best exposure is S. S. W. and W. and S. E., in the 

 order given. Least ftivorable E. N. E. and N. The vine should 

 not be shaded directly, either by trees or buildings ; though it is 

 a great advantage to have protection against N. and N. E. winds. 

 Li a small vineyard, this may be given by a ten foot fence ; in a 

 large one, by a double belt of evergreen trees, planted in a semi- 

 circle. Whatever soil is used, it should be well ploughed to the 

 depth of one foot before planting the vints, 



31anures. 



The requirements of the vine are few and simple. Stimulating 

 manures, applied to the vines, produce a rampant growth of leaves 

 and wood, but no fruit. It is the same with the strawberry. 

 Use, in moderate quantities only, mineral manures and old, well- 

 rotted compost. The best conijiost is made by mixing and heap- 

 ing up grass sods, fresh manure, muck or leaves, with a little 

 ashes and gypsum, adding bones, when they are to be had. Turn 

 the heap over occasionally, and v/hcn it is reduced to a uniform, 

 rich mould, it is in a fit state to nourish the vine. Cow manure 

 will improve a sandy soil, and horse manure a strong, clay soil. 

 In France and Germany, manure mixed with fresh eartli is annu- 

 ally carried on the backs of laborers and placed around the vines ; 

 the old soil having been previously removed to the depth of six 

 inches. They also dig in the prunings of the vine ; — a rational 

 and most excellent practice. Their soil has been exhausted by 

 centuries of the same cultivation, while ours is virgin to the vine, 

 and docs not require such treatment. Mr. Bull recommends 

 " ploughing the land to the depth of nine inches, and the first 

 year apply thirty or forty loads of compost to the acre, to promote 

 the formation of roots." " After that, twenty bushels of bone 

 dust, twenty of wood ashes and five of gypsum are a sufficient 

 dressing for an acre, for three years." 



Planting. 

 The best time, in this State, is spring, just before the buds 



