OF THE VINE. 
29 
prehenfion, and indeed the foil, in which I have known the 
Vine to profper in the mod; fuperlative degree without artificial 
aid, was a kind of rich fandy loam, intermixed with thin beds 
of materials like jointed date, or done, fo very foft in its na- 
ture as almod to be capable of being crumbled between the 
lingers. The roots of the Vine delight In thefe beds of loam. 
I have been more particular in the above defcription, on a 
fuppofition that fpots of fuch kindly materials may fometimes 
be found; and whenever it fo happens, I would, by all means, 
recommend a plentiful ufe of fuch foil in preference to any 
other, and efpecially for the part below ; for even in the 
former cafe of the unfriendly foil, the Vines would podibly 
fucceed dill better with a layer of this fort between the corn- 
pod- mould and bottom floor. 
When 
But where the foil, with fat’ning moifture fill’d, 
Is cloth’d with grafs, and fruitful to be till’d : 
Such as in chearful vales we view from high ; 
Which dripping rocks with rolling ftreams fupplj’, 
And feed with ouze ; where rifing hillocks run 
In ler»gth, and open to the Southern fun ; 
Where fern fucceeds, ungrateful to the plough. 
That gentle ground to gen’rous grapes allow. 
Strong flocks of Vines it will in time produce. 
And overflow the vats v/ith friendly juice ; 
Such as our priefts in golden goblets pour 
To gods, the givers of the chearful hour. 
Dryden’s Virg, Georg, ii. 
