TILLAGE OR WORKING OP VINEYARDS. 293 



weak and vapid, and the wine consequently inferior in body, 

 flavour, and spirit. Water plentifully applied to the Isabella 

 and other pulpy native grapes at the time of their changing 

 colour, and continued to their period of maturity, is said to 

 have the effect of dissolving the pulp. 



Where vineyards are planted on a rocky bottom, and thereby 

 subjected to injury from droughts, it were adviseable to use 

 the augur which might open a stream of water capable of 

 rendering great and permanent benefit to the vineyard, 



Tillage or working of vineyards. 



The object of tilling the ground is the development of its 

 principles, as far as calculated to advance the particular 

 species of vegetation in view, which necessarily combines the 

 destruction of nauseous weeds ; and the loosening and lighten- 

 ing of the soil, in order to render it permeable to the air and 

 to the passage of the roots, and to admit of the evaporation 

 of too great humidity. For these various operations a judi- 

 cious discrimination should be exercised as to the period most 

 suitable for each, and in wine countries certain general rules 

 have been adopted, which I will detail. It has been already 

 mentioned, that at the time of flowering no work should be 

 performed, and access to the vineyard should not be allowed. 



New plantations require particular attention to the tillage, 

 both on account of the great necessity of increasing by every 

 means the strength and vigour of the young vines, and to de- 

 stroy the far greater profusion of w r eeds which then make their 

 appearance. 



Frequent ploughings are very beneficial, and in this early 

 stage of the vineyard can be performed without danger of 

 injury either to the branches or the roots, which the great ex- 

 tension of the vines in after years may prevent. Four plough- 

 ings should therefore be annually performed the first and se- 

 cond years, after which a less number may suffice. 



In the first operations of tilling a young vineyard, a small 

 hollow should be formed around each vine stock tQ catch and 

 retain moisture for the roots, and care should be taken at all 



