378 On a manner of training the Vine upon open Walls. 



plant, are treated similarly in the following spring ; the same 

 operation being continued in each year until the Vine has 

 reached the foot of the wall, which it generally does the 

 third year after planting, the whole length of the plant 

 becomes thus buried under ground. 



The sort most in repute with the Vignerons is the Chas- 

 selas de Fontainebleau, or Royal Muscadine ; when other va- 

 rieties are planted, the latest kinds are always trained to the 

 lower bar, as they are there found to ripen earliest. 



This method of planting followed at Thomery, differs mate- 

 rially from the practice of other places ; in general the Vines 

 are planted at once to the wall, in borders levelled and pre- 

 pared for other purposes, and at considerable distances. They 

 in consequence absorb an immoderate degree of nourishment, 

 which gives rise to a rank and late vegetation, and retards the 

 ripening of the fruit. At Thomery, the Vines being planted 

 closer, have a more limited range for food, and the numerous 

 roots produced by the frequent laying in of the stems, occupy 

 the border so fully as to prevent any redundancy of moisture 

 or excess of nutriment ; and instead of a rank luxuriant growth, 

 they are furnished with short well ripened shoots, closely set 

 with bearing eyes, which, when the ground is well manured, 

 seldom fail to afford abundant crops. 



Training and Winter Pruning. 



The Vines having gained the foot of the wall should, 

 the first season, be cut back as near the level of the lowest 

 bar as the neighbourhood of two or three good eyes will 

 admit. Two of the best circumstanced shoots from these on 

 the Vine A, designed to furnish that bar, should be trained, 

 one to the right and the other to the left, to form the arms of 



