constructed entirely of steel. The draft rod is attached, as is shown in the figure, about the middle of the beam and back of the fore carriage (avant-train) in order to bring the force as near as possible to the resistance. These plows, of which some twelve sizes are manufactured, range in weight from 100 to 380 kilos. and in price from 145 to 500 francs.

In this country the double moldboard, or hillside plow as it is generally termed, is comparatively little used except, as its name implies, in hillside work when the land is so steep that the furrow can only be turned down hill. In France, these plows are very commonly used, and are made in sizes from 1 horse to 16 horses, or oxen, which are more frequently employed.

The gang-plows are used in light soils, and also as cultivators in vineyards.

In the preparation of the land, considerable attention is given to drainage, which, as it does not present novel features, need not be discussed here.

Manuring is considered to be always essential, and in all viticultural works the discussion of fertilizers and manures forms an important topic. Heretofore, not enough attention has been paid to this subject, but the necessity of artificially enriching the land or supplying lacking elements has now come to be generally recognized, and the results fully repay the expense entailed.

Fertilizers are now applied to all kinds of soils, including even the rich alluvial bottoms.

METHODS OF PLANTING.

The methods of planting followed in France are various, each district having methods more or less peculiar to itself or adapted to the particular conditions obtaining in the locality. It will be impossible to describe these in detail, but a few of the more generally employed methods may be profitably outlined.

Trenching.-A common but somewhat costly method and one of the best is called planting by reversion, or trenching. Vines planted after this system produce early and abundantly, but are consequently short-lived. Trenches are opened in the direction of the vine rows, the earth from the last made being filled into the preceding trench. Manure is thrown in and the vines are then planted and supported by stakes.

Planting with Bar.-A method of planting also in general use is to thoroughly break up the subsoil and manure, if the soil demands such treatment, and then plant in holes made at the proper distance with a bar or rod of iron. In light soils, free from rocks and having porous subsoils, working of the superficial layers is all that is required. The hole is usually made of sufficient size to admit of the use of manure about the plant.

Planting in Furrows.-Planting in furrows thrown out with a plow is one of the most economical methods, but is little employed, and only in deep soils. A deep furrow is made and filled in partly with manure, after which the plants are set and the earth thrown back about them.

Time of Planting.-Planting occurs from the month of February through March and April, and may be continued to the beginning of June. For late planting the vines are kept from growing by being stored, under cover of earth, on northern exposures.

Disposition of the Vines and Pruning.-The methods of planting, pruning, and cultivating the vines are extremely numerous. In the departments of Tarn, Lot, Ardèche, and Puy-de-Dôme the vines are planted in rows; and on the contrary, they are evenly distributed over the ground (en foule) elsewhere in the southern central region of France.

When planted in rows there is no fixed direction for ridges, except to facilitate drainage without loss of soil. Some vineyardists lay their lands from east to west in the belief that only the first few feet of each row will be injured by the prevailing west winds and hail. But this practice is beneficial only in the case of low vines, such as those of Médoc. Others, with the object of getting the greatest amount of sun along the rows, plant from north to south.

The vines are commonly set in double rows with a space between the rows of about 1 meter and an alley space of about 2 meters. Where intermediate culture is practiced, viz, the growth of grain or vegetables between the rows, the method outlined is considerably modified. The vines are then planted from two to four rows together, with an alley of space between the groups of rows of 4 to 8 meters. (See Fig. 98.)

In Hérault the vines are planted about 1.5 meters apart in all directions, the hectare thus accommodating 4,444 stocks, which for an acre would be about 1,777 stocks. The crown of the vine breaks into four arms, each bearing one spur pruned above the second bud. (See Fig. 95.)

In Bourgogne the vines are planted much closer together and differently pruned, the old wood being nearly all cut away down to the trunk and the new canes supported on stakes. (Fig. 96.)

The vineyardists of Vaucluse adopt a plan of pruning very much like that followed in Hérault. It consists in pruning the vine down to three arms, the crown being just above the ground level, with one spur each of two buds. (Fig. 97.)

Provence vineyards are mostly planted en joualles, that is, with cereals, potatoes, or other roots cultivated between the vines. The

FIG. 96.-Bourgogne vines fixed to stakes. (From Sahut.)

vines are, as a rule, set out in single rows, but sometimes this practice is modified into series of three, four, or five rows, 1 meter (about 3 feet) being left free between the rows and the secondary cultures. By this plan the vines have each about 7 feet of clear space. (Fig. 98.)

On the contrary, in the Pyrénées and Dordogne districts the vines are raised on tall stakes or trees, from which the canes shoot out on all sides and fall again toward the ground. This system has also been followed in Italy.

FIG. 98.-Vineyard planted en joualles. (After Guyot.)

The vineyardists of Maconnais plant in hills, with or without secondary cultures, and also according to the Hérault method. In the department of Ain, Isère, and Savoie the rather unsatisfactory low railing is used, or else arbors and latticework for vines of medium growth.

Great diversity of training and pruning is found in the Gironde district. Fig. 99 shows the mode of training and pruning adopted in the Graves. Two long fruit branches are drawn out on either side and fastened to supports, each branch having one spur of three or four buds, and in pruning particular attention is given to secure strength of the stock.

FIG. 100.-Same as Fig. 99, but showing entire vineyard. (From Sahut.)

FIG. 101.-Method of training followed in Haut-Médoc. (From Sahut.)

trained along lines of wire. In the "cordon" system of pruning, now coming into very general employment, the fruiting branch is

shot out on the one side, and fastened to the support, while on the other side of the crown of the vine a spur is allowed to develop

FIG. 104.-The bush system of training. (From Sahut.)

which is destined to furnish the fruiting canes of the ensuing year. These canes are trained up the long stake at the stump of the vine.

In Beaujolais the stool or bush form (Fig. 104) is considerably employed and with very satisfactory results.

H. Ex. 410-VOL V-21