On the Vine, 
345 
The rains which come on when the vintage approaches, are always 
the most dangerous : the grapes have neither time nor sufficient strength 
to mature the juices, and they become filled with a liquid, which holds in 
solution too small a quantity of sugar, for the produce of the decompo¬ 
sition, to be either strong or spirituous. The rains which fall when the 
grapes are increasing in size, are exceedingly favourable. 
Winds are always prejudicial to the Vine; they dry up the branches, 
the grapes, and the soil; they produce, particularly in strong soil, a 
hard compact crust, which impedes the free passage of the air and water, 
and by these means maintain around the roots, a putrid moisture, which 
tends to corrupt them. 
Fogs are also exceedingly dangerous to the Vine; they are destructive 
to the blossoms, and do essential injury to the grapes. 
Though heat be necessary for ripening the grapes, giving them a sac¬ 
charine taste and a good flavour, it would be erroneous to believe that 
its action alone, can produce every effect required. It can be considered 
only as a means necessary for maturation, which supposes that the 'earth 
is sufficiently furnished with the juices that ought to supply the materials. 
Heat is necessary, but this heat must not be exercised on dried earth, for 
in that case, it burns rather than vivifies. The good state of Vines, and 
the good qualities of the grapes, depend, then, on a just proportion, a 
perfect equilibrium, between the water, which furnishes the aliment to 
the plants, and the heat, that alone can facilitate its maturation. 
Culture. —The Vine grows naturally in Florida, America, and al¬ 
most every part of Peru. In the south of France, almost all the hedges 
abound with wild Vines; but the grapes they bear, are always smaller, 
and though they come to maturity, they never acquire the exquisite taste 
of the grapes which are cultivated.—The Vine, then, is the work of 
Nature, but Art changes its products, by bringing the culture of it to per¬ 
fection. The difference which exists at present, between the cultivated 
Vine, and that which grows w'ild, is the same as that established by Art, 
between the vegetables of our gardens, and those of the same kind 
which grow naturally in the fields. The soil, where the Vine is planted, 
requires great care : it should often be dug up, but should not have the 
manure necessary to other plantations. It must here be remarked, that 
all those causes which powerfully concur to give activity to the vegeta¬ 
tion of the Vine, alter the quality of the grapes; and here, as in other 
delicate cases, the culture ought to be directed in such a manner that the 
plant may receive only scanty nourishment, if grapes of a good quality 
are required. The celebrated Olivier de Serres, says on this subject, 
that ‘'by a public decree, dunging is forbidden at Gaillar, for fear of 
lessening the reputation of the white wines, with which the people of 
that district supply their neighbours of Toulouse, Montauban, Castres, 
and other places.” There are some persons, however, who, in order to 
Voi>. I, No 8. 'vw 
