OF THE ADVANCES AND DISBURSEMENTS, ETC. 297 



three forks for light soils that are stony or pebbly : the hoeing 

 should be done as deep as possible, and requires strong la- 

 bourers, being the severest part of the tillage. The small 

 spade with the iron rounded, is also considered among the 

 most expeditious and least fatiguing and is much commended. 

 In conveying new earth or manure to the different parts of a 

 vineyard, the wheel-barrow seems best adapted where there is 

 not space sufficient to allow the passage of a cart ; and where 

 the plantations*ire on the sides of hills, they use in France, 

 a kind of scuttle-shaped basket which is found convenient for 

 the purpose. Even where a cart can pass through the vine- 

 yard, it is apt by its weight, and the trampling of the horses, to 

 press the ground too much, it is therefore deemed preferable 

 to use it only to transport the manure to the outer side of the 

 vineyard, whence it can be removed by wheel-barrows. 



Of the advances and disbursements to be made by the proprietor. 

 The wisest course that can be pursued by the proprietor of a 

 vineyard, is to superintend it himself with the utmost care, and 

 not to be parsimonious in disbursements for the annual ad- 

 vances. The earth returns with usurious interest the treasures 

 that are confided to it. We shall hereafter detail some othe 

 disadvantages attendant on the management of this species 

 of property. The formation of vineyards requires nothing 

 more than the purchase of beasts, of implements of husbandry, 

 of vines, &c. which being primitive expenditures like those 

 attendant on grain farms, &ic. it will be only requisite to 

 make an accurate estimate ; first, of the annual expenditures 

 required for culture ; and secondly, of the returns that should 

 be derived from that culture, which points are seldom suffi- 

 ciently understood. The former comprises, first, the price to 

 be paid the vigneron for the different labours which he is 

 bound to bestow on each acre of vines, in case the proprietor 

 employs another to oversee and conduct his vineyard; secondly, 

 the poles where they are necessary ; third, the manure when 

 required ; fourth, the casks commonly used ; fifth, the ex- 

 penses of the vintage and making the wine at the press. 



38 



