*294 TILLAGE OR WORKING OF VINEYARDS. 



after labours, that this[hollow remain, or that it be formed anew 

 as often as necessary. 



In all the dressings I would suggest particular care not to 

 injure or cut off any of the roots, for notwithstanding we have 

 the high authority of Berneaud, to cut up and destroy the 

 roots next the surface, 1 must entirely dissent from its pro- 

 priety. In accordance w r ith this opinion, the digging and 

 hoeing should be performed lightly immediately around the 

 vine, and deeper at more distance from it in order to preserve 

 the roots near the surface, for I have yet to learn from M. 

 Berneaud, for what reasons they are not equally as beneficial 

 to the vine as those that penetrate to a greater depth. My 

 own opinion is, that their influence is more immediately felt 

 by the vine, as they so quickly profit by the dews and light 

 rains, as well as by being more immediately operated upon by the 

 atmosphere, from the influences of all which the lower roots 

 are so much farther removed. 



Vineyards when well and properly worked, require four 

 annual tilling operations; the first is ploughing, when the ground 

 should be as deeply worked as possible ; this should be per- 

 formed during winter, but where the winter frosts are too 

 severe to allow it, it must be done late in autumn, or very 

 early in the spring ; the other three are dressings with the 

 spade or hoe, during summer to destroy the weeds. The first 

 should be performed some days previous to the flowering, the 

 second when the fruit has attained about one third its size, and 

 the third when it commences changing to the colour of ma- 

 turity. Some vignerons bestow but two dressings by delaying 

 the second, and omitting the last, but the advantages gained 

 by three dressings are more than equal to the difference of 

 expense, for labour is equivalent to manure, and in some 

 places where even four summer dressings are given, they find 

 advantage from it. High trained vineyards from the manner 

 of their arrangement admit fully of the above mode of treatment; 

 but in most of the low trained vineyards, there is only oppor- 

 tunity for once tilling during the summer season, for when the 

 branches have spread around, there is danger of bruising or 



