PROPPING AND TRAINING. 



2G5 



distance must be allowed between the vines when the planta- 

 tions are formed. 



The proper period for poling the vineyards, is immediately 

 after the first spring cleaning, before the vines commence 

 growing, sometimes however it is done after the second clean- 

 ing, at which time the shoots have acquired a part of their 

 growth. They should be put deep in the earth in order that 

 they may not be blown down by the winds, and great care 

 must be taken during the operation, not to injure the roots, 

 nor break the buds of the vines. In France, the trees used 

 for poles are principally the pine, the fir, the tree box, and oak 

 and chesnut split up ; willow, poplar, and other trees whose 

 branches are prompt to vegetate should not be used for poles. 

 The posts and poles should each have the end that goes into 

 the ground well covered with melted pitch. Col. Gibbs in- 

 forms me, he has found universally, that poles were Better than 

 trellices ; indeed in vineyard or field culture, this method of sup- 

 porting the vines will almost necessarily be adopted, as well on 

 account of the advantages it offers, as the increased expense 

 that the use of trellices would create. However, those that 

 prefer that species of culture as generally pursued, will find the 

 subject discussed hereafter, under the head of " Garden culture." 



The colder the climate, the lower the vines should be 

 trained, in order that the grapes may ripen better, because ex- 

 perience teaches us, that those which are a short distance 

 from the earth, profiting from the shelter which is afforded, 

 and from the caloric which emanates from it during the night 

 whenever the temperature of the atmosphere diminishes, ac- 

 quire a superior quality. 



When vineyards are located on steep hills, the Tines can 

 be trained higher, because the grapes profit from the reverber- 

 ation of the sun by the earth, in the same manner as if planted 

 against a wall. The operation of tying the shoots is omitted 

 in the greater portion of the south of France, while in the 

 northern departments it is deemed of the utmost importance. 

 Where a great desire exists for economizing, a discrimination 

 may be made between the vines of stronger and those qf weak- 



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