330 Vineyard Culture. 



Two tubs are fastened to a horse's back, by means of 

 the saddle, B, and the handle, A. 



Finally, if the distance from the vineyard to the 

 wine-press is very great — say from three-quarters to one 

 and a half mile — ^it will be advantageous to employ some 

 vehicle, provided it can pass freely over the roads in the 

 vineyard. On this vehicle should be placed tubs hold- 

 ing twenty-six gallons, each, and having an oval form, 

 to allow of their being packed closely in the vehicle, 

 and two handles, so that they may be easily loaded and 

 unloaded. 



These different receptacles are inspected with care ; 

 some days before the vintage ; they are coopered, and 

 then they are soaked, so as to become perfectly water- 

 tight. 



Vintagers. — Four squads of workmen are requisite 

 for the grape-gathering. 



1st. Cutters. — This is the most numerous squad, and 

 the one intrusted with the least fatiguing work, that of 

 removing the grapes from the vines. For this reason, 

 women, children, and old men are employed on it. 

 Each cutter should be provided with a vintager's basket 

 and a pruning-knife, or shears, to cut the grapes. The 

 shears are preferable, as, in cutting the bunch, one is 

 less liable to break ofF and lose the berries. When the 

 cutters begin work, each places himself at one end of a 

 line of plants in regular succession, and proceeds to the 

 other extremity ; from thence they begin on another 

 series of lines, nearest to the last, and work in the op- 

 posite direction. The number of cutters should be such 

 that the produce of one day's gathering may suffice for 

 one pressing., that being the only way to obtain a 



