56 FROSTS. 



worse situated whose exposure faces the rising than those 

 which face the setting sun. From this remark it has been con- 

 cluded that in every case where by means of pumps they could 

 moisten the shoots before sun rise, or by smoke could inter- 

 cept the solar rays for a few moments, they could prevent the 

 effects of frost, and this has been frequently proved by expe- 

 rience. The difficulty and expense of doing it are the only 

 preventives to its more frequent adoption. It should, however, 

 be added for the satisfaction of those who wish to employ 

 smoke, that it should be prepared at the windward side of the 

 vineyard, of litter or dead leaves, mingled with bushes, fee. 

 the whole being made somewhat moist, and that the fire should 

 be kindled half an hour before sunrise ; the important point 

 is, that this mass may burn without flame, and cause as dense 

 a smoke as possible over the vineyard. 



In some vineyards the effects of frost have been prevented 

 by protecting each vine on the sun side with branches of pine 

 trees, thereby sheltering them from winds and the sun's rays. 

 A celebrated proprietor, in a season which was unsuccessful 

 to neighbouring vineyards, secured* by this course a crop 

 double that of any of his neighbours, and of better quality. 

 An hundred francs sufficed for the expense of protecting by 

 this mode five arpents of vines at Silleri, whose produce sells 

 at six francs the bottle. Since this practice was found to be 

 successful, it has been much extended, and it is said in all cases 

 with beneficial effect. Branches of cedar, or of any other 

 evergreen trees, would answer equally well if those of pine 

 were not easily procured, but the latter can scarcely be found 

 wanting in any part of our country. 



In the department of Jura, and in Piedmont, the vines are 

 laid down and covered with earth during winter, less with a 

 view to guard them against freezing, than to retard their spring 

 vegetation and to shelter them from the late frosts of that sea- 

 son. They are treated in a similar manner, and doubtless for 

 similar reasons, on the borders of the Rhine, and in the envi- 

 rons of Astracan. 



The effects of spring frosts upon the vines vary according: 



