20 Vineyard Culture. 



even a northern slope, is often preferred to one which lies 

 more directly toward the rays of the rising sun.] 



II. 

 PREPARATORY OPERATIONS. 



'T'HE location for the vineyard having been chosen, 

 we proceed to a consideration of the preparatory 

 labors for the vineyard. 



Fences. — It is to be regretted that most of our vine- 

 yards are without fences. They should all be in- 

 closed ; otherwise the following inconveniences may be 

 the result : 



1st. In countries still under the ban of the ordinances 

 fixing the time for the gathering of the grapes, it is im- 

 possible to introduce in their cultivation certain much- 

 needed improvements. For, what profit would there 

 be, for instance, in introducing into one's vineyard a 

 vine of more precocious growth, if the gathering of its 

 fruit is to await the raising of the ordinance ban ? — 

 Neither will it be possible to derive benefit from opera- 

 tions having for their object the ventilation of the vines, 

 so as to allow the grapes to remain longer on the stocks, 

 without fear of the rot, and thus reach more perfect 

 maturity. The grapes must be gathered before the 

 proper time. And, lastly, if the vineyard is made up 

 of different varieties of grapes, maturing at difFerent 

 periods, the ban will compel the gathering of the whole 

 at the same time. Vineyards that are fenced in are 

 free from all these inconveniencies. 



