22 



SOIL. 



The nature of the soil has a most important influence on the 

 growth of the vine and on the quality and quantity of wine which it 

 will produce. Two vineyards, differing from each other only in the 

 soil, may give very different results both as regards the crop per acre 

 and the value of the wine. 



The vine is one of the hardiest of plants, and will grow in any 

 soil that is not swampy, too highly mineralized, or otherwise unfit for 

 vegetation. There is scarcely any variety of soil fulfilling these 

 requirements in which profitable vineyards have not, at one time or 

 another, been established ; but, as might reasonably be expected, 

 certain classes are more or less suitable than others, more especially, 

 as we shall see, in a certain climate or for a certain variety of vine. 



The characters of a soil are physical and chemical. The physical 

 characters are looseness or stiffness, depth, and colour. 



The looseness or friability of a soil is of great importance. The 

 advantages of a friable soil over a compact one are manifest the 

 drainage is better, the absorption of water greatly facilitated, and, as 

 it can be cultivated with far greater ease, it enables one to check the 

 evaporation of moisture during the dry season, as nothing favours the 

 retention of moisture so much as keeping the surface in a thoroughly 

 loose state. The difference between a stiff clay soil, which dries up 

 and cracks in summer, and a sandy or otherwise friable soil, which 

 remains loose and is always moist a few inches below the surface, is 

 too well known to need enlarging upon. A loose soil is therefore an 

 advantage in a very wet as well as in a very dry district. 



The depth of the soil is of variable importance, and depends chiefly 

 upon the climate. Although a deep soil is usually considered to be 

 the best for vine-growing purposes, if we examine the different 

 districts in the old country we find that this is far more the case in 

 the southern than in the northern parts. In a warm climate the vine, 

 taking a greater development, requires more room for its roots, which, 

 extending vertically as well as laterally, demand a deeper soil. 

 Under such conditions there is also less danger of a scarcity of 

 moisture during the summer. In a cold district the moisture of the 

 soil is always ample, and the vine, growing with less vigour, can 



