THE CDLTUEE OF THE GRAPE. 165 



the cultivation of the vine varies with the climate in 

 which tlie culture of this plant is introduced. "We do 

 not speak here of the superior layers of soil, which 

 would make such an assertion hazardous. Experience 

 has demonstrated, that, in the southerly (meridionaux) 

 dej^artrnents, the vine flourishes in volcanic earth, in the 

 (freestone) grit, and in the granitic gravel, mixed with 

 vegetable earth and with some clay, (alumine). Towards 

 the centre of France, they succeed in the schistes, (slaty) 

 and above all in the calcareous rock, which crumbles on 

 exposure to the air. At the north, they prefer the coarse 

 gravel combined with calcareous earth. But everywhere 

 you may make use of collections of earths and stones 

 (almost monstrous,) of all kinds, provided that the mass 

 be permeable to water, and retain but little moisture. 

 All agree that an essential quality for a good earth for 

 the vine, is, that it should possess a mixture of quartz, 

 of flint, and coarse gravel. The rays of the sun pene- 

 trate these stones and furnish warmth during the day, 

 and distribute it to the plants by night. This is not all : 

 in earths exceedingly porous, they yet serve, by the effect 

 of their solidity and quantity, to diminish the too rapid 

 evaporation of the moisture. Besides, (finally,) it is by 

 the vegetables that the soil produces that we can best 

 judge of its quality, and of the temperature of the cli- 

 mate. Whei'ever the cultivator shall see the peach tree 

 prosper naturally, he may conclude the situation is favor- 

 able for the culture of the vine." Page 246.* 



* The mildew, the rot, and the bUght, to which all grapes are subject ia 

 the United States, more particularly the European kinds, render this re- 

 mark incorrect, as regards this country. ^ 



