As to lacerations of the roots, and bruises of the stock, they ought to be attributed to the carelessness, or unskilfulness of the workmen. The voracity of insects is the cause of others.
It would appear, that what are most to be dreaded of these evils, viz. the freezing of the buds, and the running of the flower, are beyond the effectual remedy of the cultivator, or that means of prevention have not yet been discovered, which are generally applicable, or which can be applied without swallowing up profit in expense. Such, indeed, is the report which was uniformly made to me, at a period[1], when I had an opportunity of witnessing the destructive effects of frost, to such a high degree, that a proprietor of vines, who ought to have made 200 tons of wine, assured me that the frosts had not left him ten.
Writers on the vine recommend, when frost is dreaded, that heaps of straw, bad hay, and dried weeds, should be placed at intervals on that side of the vineyard which faces the rising sun; and that these, at his rising, should be lighted in such a way, that the smoke should intercept his rays, This is said to bave been practised by M. Jurnilhac,
- ↑ April, 1822.
stamina and pistils from performing their functions, and consequently makes the flowers abortive.
