THE VINE IN VENETIA. 845 



The rod wines of the Rabosa and Sch<'un> are also a permanent staple 

 in the consumption of the eastern part of the territory, and all are ex- 

 cellent for table use, being cultivated along with others for the exclusive 

 purpose. 



In proceeding westward the soil, with the constant predominance of 

 the calcareous element, but with a larger admixture of scoriae and vol- 

 canic matter, lends itself to the production of stronger and richer qual- 

 ities both of fruit and wine. This is particularly the case in the ex- 

 treme westward districts of the territory, where the hills of Verona are 

 almost exclusively composed of the detritus of Cretaceous strata, mingled 

 with quartz and the disaggregation of basalt and friable basaltic tufa. 

 The vine prospers everywhere, varying with the differences of the region ; 

 sweet but light and watery on the limestone of the plain ; deep-colored, 

 strong, and aromatic on the basaltic hills to the east j rough and tonic 

 on the glacial accumulations beyond the Adige. 



INTERCROP CULTIVATION IN VINEYARDS. 



The practice of cultivating for other crops the spaces between the 

 vines is universal; in fact, the vine can hardly be said to have any dis- 

 tinct apportionment, but rather to be superadded as the necessary 

 garniture of every field, which, regardless of its presence, is tilled in all 

 respects according to the ordinary agricultural routine of the country, 

 and this double culture only fails where the situation is so precipitous or 

 so bare as to make any product but that of the vine out of the question. 



PROFITS OF VINE CULTURE. 



According to situation and treatment, the vine begins to become 

 profitable at about three years, and is in full bearing at six. 



Throughout the Venetian provinces in strong contrast with those of 

 Lombardy, artificial irrigation is little developed ; in several it is al- 

 most unknown, and where it exists is much more in request for meadow 

 and other culture. The vine, intermingled with other crops, may re- 

 ceive an interloper's share of the common benefit, but the localities 

 which it prefers, as well as the nature of the plant, mostly place it 

 without the scope of any special arrangement for the purpose. Occu- 

 pying, besides, no special place in the apportionment of the farm, its 

 balance of outlay and return is always liable to be confounded with 

 the general mass of operations for the year, while the selling price of its 

 product differing more widely with slight shades of real merit, and often 

 depending on an artificial or fanciful value of appreciation, the ordinary 

 calculations of commerce are not easily adjusted to it. Estimates vary 

 greatly in official as well as professional publications. The following 

 data, however, are the most detailed that I have been able to procure, 

 and may represent oue of the most successful and best-conducted vine- 

 yards of Verona : 



