36 
A heavy clay soil, on the other hand, produces a fuli-bodied 
wine, heavy, rich in extract, and in some cases may impart to it a 
peculiar taste known as an “earthy taste.” 
Between these two widely different soils, there are other inter- 
mediate ones that partake more or less of the character of the one 
or the other, according to the respective proportion of their sandy 
of their clayey constituents. 
On limestone formations, the wine will be delicate to the taste, 
with a fine brilliant colour and a pleasant flavour, which in the 
drier localities may be inclined to be fiery. 
Voleanie soils will produce vigorous dry wines. 
Besides the geological character of the land, the natural flora 
which cover it give some indication as to its suitableness for wine- 
growing and fruit-growing. 
A slope always assists drainage, but more especially in the 
drier districts of this State a vineyard always looks more luxuriant, 
and gives a better yield on the flats and on slightly undulating 
country, the reason being that during the long, dry and hot summers 
which sometimes prevail, the slopes often get too dry, and the vine 
suffers considerably. During the heavy downpours of rain, too, that 
come down occasionally, a quantity of soil is sometimes washed down 
the steep slopes, leaving the land denuded and deeply cut by the rush 
of water down the incline. 
In cooler climates, such as the centre of France and the 
banks of the Rhine, the slopes are generally planted in vines, in 
order to utilise the full amount of sunshine and warmth; but in 
this country of light and heat, shelter from the wind is of far 
greater importance, and should mostly be studied in establishing a 
vineyard or an orchard. 
Generally speaking, in our singularly genial climate and 
wherever moisture is_sufficient, many fruit trees will grow and 
produce some fruit in almost any soil, except dry, puré sand or wet 
undrained swamps. The several sorts of fruit trees grown, however, 
accommodate themselves more readily to the different classes of soils, 
and in that respect the likings of each kind should be studied and as 
far as possible satisfied. 
As a rule, the light sandy loam which is very prevalent, by 
reason of its warmth and the “available” plant food it 
contains, is quicker than stronger soils; it is also more easily 
cultivated, but it soon runs out, and vinloxy the drain on its 
store of plant food caused by continuous cropping is made good 
by applications of fertilisers, the vigour of the trees is checked, they 
are comparatively short-lived, and soon become unproductive. Such 
trees very often fall a prey to the attack of insect and fungoid 
pests, unless these are vigorously kept down. Peaches, nectarines, 
almonds, figs, vines, mulberries, melons, and tomatoes will, with eare 
and liberal manuring produce good crops on such soils. 
