THE SOIL, AND ITS PKEPAKATION. 21 



grapes may be grown where good corn can not. 

 Some of the best vineyards about New- York 

 are planted in light sandy soils, to which muck 

 has been added with a more or less liberal 

 hand. There are many localities on Long 

 Island and in New-Jersey, where light sands 

 prevail, that could be converted into pro- 

 ductive vineyards at a comparatively small ex- 

 pense. We have never seen better grapes than 

 have been grown on similar soils properly 

 treated. The vine has such a wonderful power 

 of adaptability that the soil, whether light or 

 heavy, becomes almost a matter of secondary 

 importance. 



Preparation. Not so, however, its prepara- 

 tion for the reception of the plants. This 

 should be most thoroughly done. In planting 

 a vineyard, we are doing a work that is expect- 

 ed to last for generations ; hence, every thing 

 connected with it should be done in a manner 

 to insure good and permanent results. Some 

 soils will need more thorough preparation than 

 others ; but all will need more or less. 



It may, or may not be, that some have recom- 

 mended a more thorough and expensive mode 

 of preparation than the case calls for. We 



