8 Memoir on the Vineyards and Wines 
The black are generally preferred to tlie white grapes, 
for several reasons : In the first place, the black grapes 
resist much better the rains and frost so common about 
vintage time. Secondly, because there is more vinosity 
and fineness in the black grape, and it gives more of 
what is called body to the wine : the white on the con- 
trary is too mucilaginous, renders the wine soft, and ex- 
poses it to become yellow, or to thicken. 
There are whole cantons, however, such as Chouilly, 
Clamant, Avise, Bisseuil, &c. where there are but very 
few black grapes, and yet their wine is in high estima- 
tion. 
XI. Which of the Exposures is most subject to the 
Hoar-frosts of Spring ? 
The effects of frost are only to be feared at sunrise : 
the eastern exposures are consequently most apt to suf- 
fer, although it has been ascertained that vine plants 
freeze in every exposure. 
Thus, all the preservative methods hitherto indicated, 
such as fumigations, or poles armed with long branches 
of foliage capable of being agitated by the air, are mere 
reveries of the imagination : they have been employed 
indeed in small enclosures ; but they never preserved a 
single cluster of grapes, and are incapable of being ap- 
plied to a large vineyard. 
XII. At what Period is the Vine to be pruned P 
About the end of February or beginning of March, 
the most essential operation must be performed, namely, 
that of cutting the plant. When it is very strong, two 
branches or stumps only are left. 
XIII. How many Eyes are left in the Plant P 
Three eyes upon each branch : when the vine is weak 
one branch only is cut off. 
