842 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



years. The practice is the same for fruit or wine grapes, and the same 

 varieties serve indifferently for both. 



In this double cultivation the sustaining trees are planted some time 

 previously, with the same regularity as the vines, from 3 to 10 yards 

 from each other, and in rows from 10 to 30 yards apart, according to soil 

 and situation, much deeper if possible, also, to avoid the interference of 

 their root as well as to lessen the drain on the soil to the prejudice of 

 the vines. The ash, maple, and cherry are generally preferred for the 

 purpose, as less impervious to the sun, on the hill ; the maple, elm, and 

 poplar in the plain. After reaching the height of 6 feet, all the vigor 

 of the young tree is confined by pruning it to three or four of its most 

 robust branches. 



PLANTING AND CULTIVATING THE VINES. 



The vine (and the methods of cultivation are given here with some 

 detail, as they are the same substantially for all sorts of vines and in 

 all parts of the territory) is reproduced from slips (magliuoli) carefully 

 chosen from the best individuals, well furnished with buds, and cut near 

 the middle of the bearing trunk with a small portion of the wood at- 

 tached. Before planting, these slips are subjected to a sort of macera- 

 tion, exposed to the sun with their lower ends immersed in running water. 

 This softening process predisposes them to take root and bud more 

 promptly. They are then planted by some cultivators in a nursery for 

 two or three years, but most generally on their permanent locality, to 

 allow the young vine to adapt itself at once to the soil in which it is to 

 grow. The furrow is commonly 2 or 3 yards wide and half a yard deep, 

 shallower in light and loose earth, but a compact or clayey soil should 

 be broken as deeply as possible. At the bottom are often placed large 

 stones or fascines of osier, a sort of rough sewerage to aid a freer cir- 

 culation of air and moisture. On rocky hillsides it is also a means of 

 economizing the scanty supply of vegetable earth. These furrows 

 should be opened and well broken up some time beforehand, in autumn 

 if possible, since the soil gains in quality by the action of air, sun, and 

 frost. 



The planting takes place with the opening of spring from the middle 

 of February to the 1st of April. The slips are placed four or $ve on 

 each side and at 9 inches to 1 foot from the tree, disposing them in the 

 best position to take root easily $ and covering lightly at first with fresh 

 soil and manure or vegetable refuse, to be filled up afterward with earth 

 improved by exposure, according to the progress of the season, till the 

 surface is leveled or the plant properly imbedded ; rapidly in the plain, 

 more gradually on the hillside, where the spring rains would soon wash 

 away the unsolid mass, while on the contrary the cavity, aided by a 

 little support of stories below, retains and profits by whatever they may 

 bring from above. 



The choicest and best cultivated vines of the region, those qf the 



