204 Vineyard Culture. 



It is owing to this mode of operation that the first cul- 

 tivation is styled " plowing bare." Performed in this 

 way, the plowing has a double advantage : the soil be- 

 ing partially turned over, is more easily penetrated by 

 atmospheric agents ; next — and this is important — it 

 insures the destruction of the rootlets, which are strong- 

 ly developed upon the plant near the surface of the 

 ground, under the influence of the moisture of the fall 

 and winter. Were these rootlets let alone, their active 

 functions would soon diminish the vitality of the deeper 

 ones, and they would languish. But the summer heat 

 soon destroys a large portion of the superficial roots, 

 or, at least, suspends their functions ; moreover, they 

 are often mangled by the action of implements ; the 

 consequence is that the plants suffer greatly ; for the 

 deep roots are no longer in a state effectively to replace 

 those of the surface. The laying bare of the foot of 

 the plants, which we have recommended, has precisely 

 the effect of destroying, year by year, these superficial 

 roots, and compelling the plants to live through their 

 deeper ones. It will occur to every one that this lay- 

 ing bare the roots is necessary everywhere, but that it 

 is all the more indispensable when the soil is exposed to 

 drought. 



The second plowing, which is called " hilling," has 

 the effect of destroying the little ridges formed in the 

 space between the rows, and of leveling the ground by 

 filling up the furrows at the foot of the plants. 



The greater or less quantity of moisture in the soil, 

 at the time of plowing, has a great influence on the 

 success of this operation. If the ground be very dry, 

 the work is more difficult and expensive ; if it be very 



