Page:A Treatise on the Culture of the Vine and, and the Art of Making Wine.pdf/58

18 one-third, between a soil of the same quality, exposed to the south, and one exposed to the west.

Even in a vineyard, situated with every advantage of exposure, nothing should be allowed to interrupt the direct action of the mid-day sun, which, of all causes contributing to the perfection of the grape, is certainly the most powerful. The practice of planting fruit trees in a vineyard, is hence disapproved of, though in some districts it is conceived that they are advantageous in protecting the vines from the effects of frost, and from this idea it is quite common to see the peach, the olive, the apple, and the walnut trees, planted in vineyards. In many districts, also, where, from other causes, the wine is, at the best, of an indifferent quality, they are planted solely on account of their fruit. The least dangerous, are the peach and the olive.

It may be concluded, from what has been said, that the most favourable exposure of the vine is towards the south; and that an eastern, though inferior to a southern exposure, is preferable either to one to the west, or to the north; the vine which enjoys the greater portion of the sun's rays being that which, with equal soil and culture, will generally produce the best wine.

If, in the immense variety of vineyards which cover a portion of Europe, there are exceptions to