35 



ses as are used at Auxerre,) the shoots, left and right, are slanted 

 backward and forward along the row of cross rests, till the espalier is 

 complete, and the space on both sides of the stem or stock, is filled up 

 completely. They are led along this way until they reach the top 

 rest, to which they are bound, and along which they form a close 

 wreath or cornice the whole length of the line. To make them close 

 and cover in the whole espalier well and handsomely, the ends of the 

 shoots must not be clipped until the rests seem to have as much as^ 

 they can bear ; and as fast as they grow they must be wound together. 

 This method produces immense quantities of perfect clusters ; owing 

 to the stems having the full advantage of the sun, and the sap by 

 that means being more mature ; the grape too is sure to ripen, and 

 acquires a high flavour. 



Another not less remarkable advantage is the lengthening of the 

 shoots, which are not stopped until they have spent their strength. 

 The Vine, by this means, does not exhaust itself in a continuous for- 

 mation of false buds and second shoots, which drain the 'juices of 

 the wood, and impoverish its vigor: and the serpentining of the shoots 

 causes a circulation and impulsion of the sap, more regular and 

 useful to the plant. 



Pyramid Training. 



In the view of rendering the cultivation of the Vine less laborious 

 and less costly, and more ready and productive, a great many French 

 Vine-growers, following the example of those of Baden, and for one 

 instance M. C. B. Frost, of Andelau, near Strasburg, rear the Vine 

 in Cones, or to say better, Pyramids. This method is one which me- 

 rits being well known. I shall therefore enter into the closest possi- 

 ble details, to render the manner of it clear from first to last. 



After having marked out the ground in parallel lines 8 feet apart, 

 there must, the first year, be set checker-wise along these lines, small 

 stakes 8 feet apart also. Cutting from the south, (or from whichever 

 aspect you intend the Vineyard to have) you then trench the ground, 

 opposite each stake, in oblong squares, 2 feet long and 1 foot broad, 

 and, according to the depth of the soil, from 18 inches to a foot in 

 depth ; the ground lifted out is heaped beside the stake, and serves, 

 at a future period, to lay over the roots. These trenches should be 

 thoroughly ridded of pebbles or stones, which, in the end, would cause 

 trouble in setting out the props. 



The young Vines, early in autumn, are to be set out in these slo- 

 ping^^ trenches, without any previous digging or disturbing of the soil ; 



