SOIL. 37' 



of soil, provided it is not impervious to the extension of its 

 roots, nor saturated with stagnant water; yet, in order to 

 have grapes which abound in the saccharine principle, it is 

 necessary to plant them in a dry light soil. The nature of -the 

 soil is consequently one of the most important points to be 

 examined. 



Strong and clayey soils are not in any respect suitable to 

 the culture of the vine, for not only are the roots deprived of 

 the power to extend themselves and ramify to a suitable de- 

 gree in such stiff and compact soils, but the facility with 

 which they become sodden with water, and their tendency to 

 retain it, cause a continued state of humidity, which rots the 

 roots, and imparts to all the vines an unhealthy appearance, 

 which is the precursor of their final destruction. It is of 

 strong soils that do not partake of the injurious qualities which 

 belong to clay soils, that I had previously spoken. In such 

 the vine grows and vegetates freely, but this vigour of vegeta- 

 tation itself is essentially detrimental to the quality of the 

 grape, which attains with difficulty to maturity, and generally 

 produces wine without spirit or flavour. Nevertheless, soils of 

 this description are sometimes appropriated to the vine, be- 

 cause the abundant produce makes up for the deficiency in the 

 quality ; and it is often more advantageous to the proprietor 

 to plant vineyards than to raise grain, as on such soils they 

 require but little culture. Besides, the weak but abundant 

 wines furnish a suitable drink to travellers of all classes, and 

 can be used for distillation. It is well known to all cul- 

 tivators that humid soils are not suitable to the vine. When 

 soils are continually saturated, whether they are strong or 

 light, they are equally incongenial to its success : in many 

 cases the vine languishes, rots, and perishes ; and even where 

 the vegetation is vigorous, the wine obtained will be watery, 

 weak, and destitute of flavour. 



Calcareous soils are in general proper for the vine ; being 

 arid, dry, and light, they afford a support suitable to the plant. 

 The water with which they are impregnated at intervals, cir- 

 culates and penetrates freely throughout the whole, the nume- 



