PLANTING TREES, ETC. IN VINEYARDS. 263 



the soil, should be cleared away. It is true, that in the year 

 1797, the French vineyards in the departments of L'Yonne, 

 and Cote-d'or, that were not sheltered by trees, had their vines 

 frozen, but the principle notwithstanding this exception, is strict- 

 ly correct, and without particular attention the grapes where so 

 situated will not attain that ripeness and maturity of the sac- 

 charine properties which constitutes their chief value. The best 

 French authors however state, that although trees and hedges 

 are injurious to vineyards, when so close as to come in con- 

 tact with the vines, and to shade them or cause a greater de- 

 gree of humidity, still hedges are of great advantage when 

 planted at a short distance, and in such directions as to shelter 

 the vineyards from the cold east and north winds, and from 

 the moist west winds. 



Trees being acknowledged as injurious when planted in 

 vineyards, are not other vegetable productions likewise objec- 

 tionable ? When the vines re reared in nurseries, all kinds 

 of vegetables are very injurious, by drawing from the earth a 

 portion of its nutritious qualities, and it follows, of course, 

 that they are so in vineyards, in proportion as they are cul- 

 culated to drain the soil. Of this character are the different 

 species of grain, also turnips, potatoes, peas, beans, cabbage, 

 &c. Lupins and lentiles however are said to be no wise in- 

 jurious. A young vineyard is injured more by cultivating 

 other vegetables in it than an old one, because the roots spread 

 through a less proportion of the ground, and therefore have 

 less means of support, and the progress of new plantations is 

 exceedingly impeded by pursuing this course. It is therefore 

 preferable that nothing be introduced that can in any degree 

 lessen the strength and richness of the soil. 



Berneaud recommends that the rows be made four and a half 

 feet apart, and the vines planted ten feet from each other in 

 the rows. He also recommends, and it seems very con- 

 sistent with good policy, that the vines be placed opposite in 

 every second row, so that those in the intervening ones be op- 

 posite the centre of the intermediate space between the vines of 

 the other ranges ; a plan of arrangement often adopted among 

 us with plantations of other descriptions. 



