of Champagne in France . 9 
XIV. M what Height from the Ground is the Plant 
pruned P 
When the plant is young and the rind is not marked 
with old primings, the plant is cut at the height of three 
or four inches : the vine -dressers cut higher, because they 
frequently cultivate three branches, and leave four eyes. 
XV. To what Height is the Vine allowed to rise P 
Not higher than a foot and a half,— to avoid dilating 
the sap too much. 
XVI. At'what Season does the first Operation in the 
Vine-yards commence P 
After having primed the vine, the first occupation is 
that of hoeing : this operation consists in digging up the 
earth around the plants, so as to uncover their roots for a 
moment, and detach the earth from them which may have 
become clotted ; the hoe being always inserted into thqs 
earth about a foot from the plant. 
At the end of March, or beginning of April, when the 
thaws have softened the ground, the hoeing commences. 
XVII. What is the Period of Planting by Slips or 
Cuttings . 
This kind of planting is performed at the time when 
the vine is planted. 
XVIII. In ivhat Manner is this Kind of Planting 
managed P 
In pruning, the vine- dresser reserves, in the barest and 
most sterile places, certain slips, upon which he leaves 
only two or three stalks, according to the strength of the 
slip : the hole or furrow being made, the slip is gently in- 
clined, by disengaging the roots, and by means of a pair 
of tongs the stalks are held while placing in the furrow, 
VoL. IT. B 
