GREAT OR VINEYARD CULTURE. 231 



prevents the rapid evaporation of that terrestrial warmth, and 

 it is from this effect that they account for a result contrary to 

 one of the precedents already stated, which has been observed 

 in certain vineyards around Paris where the vines touch, but 

 nevertheless often attain to an earlier maturity, than neigh- 

 bouring vineyards where the vines are more remote. 



An entire misconception appears to exist among some cul- 

 tivators of the vine in the, colder latitudes of our country. 

 Acquainted as they are with the difficulty of maturing many 

 varieties of grapes in their respective locations, they apply 

 manure profusely for the purpose of insuring success, which by 

 causing the plant to advance greatly in the growth of its wood 

 and foliage, and to continue this state of verdure to a much 

 later period, has absolutely an effect directly the reverse of 

 what was desired and anticipated, by retarding the growth 

 and maturity of the grapes, and often serves to prevent their 

 ripening at all, when otherwise they would not have failed to 

 have been perfectly matured. 



So many facts conduce to prove the influence of culture 

 upon the quality of the fruit, and consequently on that of the 

 wine, that no one can be ignorant of it ; the bunches which 

 ripen in Sicily, and in the isles of the Archipelago, on the 

 tops of the tallest trees, in Italy on trees cropped down to ten 

 or twelve feet in height, in the plains of Languedoc to stocks 

 but two or three feet in height, could not ripen in the north 

 unless trained within a few inches of the ground or against 

 walls. This indicates what is really the fact, that if is indis- 

 pensable that a different course of culture be pursued, applica- 

 ble in each case to the respective climate where the vine is 

 planted. Vineyards planted upon very steep hills require a 

 different mode of treatment from those which are on plains, 

 and those in moist soils from others in dry situations. Different 

 varieties of vines also need some variation in their manage- 

 ment, and inattention to these points is the reason why many 

 have failed of success, who have endeavoured to improve the 

 quality of their wines by the introduction of plants from the 

 most celebrated vineyards, without adopting the methods of cuK 



