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whatever way is most convenient. In many parts of France it 

 is customary to gather the soil in the centre of the rows towards the 

 latter part of the winter, the band of soil left along the row between 

 the vines being drawn into the centre with hoes or other hand imple- 

 ments. This baring of the stems of the vines exposes larvae of 

 insects to the action of frost, &c., and enables all suckers or weeds to 

 be removed with ease. As it must be done by hand labour, it is not 

 to be recommended in Australia, more especially as the advantages to 

 be derived from it would not be likely to repay the extra cost. 



It is unnecessary to enlarge upon the different rules to be observed 

 in ploughing, such as only moving the soil when in a fit condition, 

 and not when wet and liable to form into lumps. These points are 

 well known to practical farmers, and as for those who are as yet 

 inexperienced, they will obtain better information from a practical 

 ploughman on the subject than could be expressed in many pages of 

 a book. 



As far as implements are concerned, much the same thing may be 

 said. In stiff soils ploughs with a long mould-board, capable of com- 

 pletely turning the sod, will be found to give the best results, whilst 

 in loose or sandy soils short mould-boards may be used with advantage. 

 It is unnecessary to say that wherever possible two or preferably 

 three furrow ploughs should be employed. 



Summer Cultivation. The object of summer cultivation is two- 

 fold. First, to keep the vines clear of weeds; and second, by keeping 

 the surface in a thoroughly loose condition, to insure the retention of 

 a sufficient amount of moisture in the soil during the dry weather. 

 The effect of a loose surface in checking evaporation is enormous. 

 If the surface becomes compact and hard, it in reality consists of an 

 innumerable number of small interstices, communicating with each 

 other so as to form fine channels, which acting by capillary attrac- 

 tion, like the wick of a lamp, draw the moisture up from the lower 

 layers of soil, and allow it to freely evaporate into the air. Surface 

 cultivation breaks up these fine continuous channels, and checks the 

 loss of moisture. Mulching or covering with sand or gravel acts in a 

 similar manner. It is a well-known fact that soil under a small heap 

 of straw is always cool and moist. Mulching with straw has many 

 disadvantages ; amongst others it presents a harbour for a host of 

 noxious insects and interferes with ploughing, which, as we have 



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