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II 



i86 



CULTIVATION of the VINE 



fares, workmen and magnificent works, and brings his 

 own vineyards, which were well known^ as proofs of all 



he had faid. 



I Ihall take the liberty to conclude this introdudion with 

 a fhort but pretty defcription of the vine, which Cicero, 

 in his beautiful tra6t upon old age, puts into the mouth of 



Cato, 



The vine that naturally runs low, and cannot rear itfelf 



without a fupport, is for this end provided with tendrils, 

 by which, like fo many hands, it lays hold on every thing 

 it meets with, that may raife it, and by thefe aids it ex 

 pands, and becomes fo luxuriant, that to prevent its run 

 ning out Into ufelefs wood, the dreffer is obliged to prune 

 ofFitsfuperfluous wandering branches; after which from 

 the {landing joints, in the enfuing fpring, the little bud 

 called the gem, puflies out the new flioot, wheron the ten- 

 der young grape is formed; which gradually fwelling by 

 nourifhmentfrom the earth, is at firft auftere to the tafle 



1 



but guarded with leaves around, that it may neither want 

 due warmth, nor fufFer by too fcorching rays, it ripens l)y 

 the Sun's enlivening beams, and acquires that delicious 

 fweetnefs and beautiful form, that equally pleafes both tlic 

 taftcsjnd the eye; and then enriches the world with that 

 noble liquor, the advantages of which I need not name. 

 Yet it is not the fenfe of thefe, nor of all the advantages 

 of hulbandry, that fo nearly afFed us, as the pleafure I 

 find in their culture alone; fuch as ranging the vines and 

 their fupporting perches in exad and even rows, in arch- 

 ing and binding their tops, lopping off the woody and 

 barren, and training the fruitful branches to fupply every 

 vacancy, and then contemplating the beauty and order 

 with the procefs of nature in the whole. 



Of the planting- and management of the Fine. 



THE firft thing necelTary to a good vineyard is a pro- 

 per plot or piece of ground. Its fituation fhould be high 

 and dry, free frod fprings and a wet fpewyfoll. Its af- 



pe£t 



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