that the vine may be cultivated advantageously in a great variety of soils. The conclusion may even be drawn, that the intrinsic nature of the soil is of less importance, than that it should be porous, free, and light. In Burgundy, a light friable soil, of a reddish or black colour is reputed the best. It has been observed, that the best vineyards of Bordeaux, are on a light, gravelly, and stony soil, partly consisting of decomposed granite: and, when this rests upon a bed of rich sand, it is said to possess the rare property of producing in large quantity, without any deterioration in the quality.
The sandy soil will, in general, produce a delicate wine, the calcareous soil a spirituous wine, the decomposed granite a brisk wine.
When a soil is to be chosen for a vineyard, all cold, compact, and wet soils, and such as are easily hardened by the sun's rays, are to be avoided. If it is more profitable, or desirable, to obtain a large quantity of wine for the general consumption of a country, or for distillation, good rich soils may be resorted to; thus, on the banks of the Cher and Loire, in France, they not only cultivate the vine on rich soils, but even with the aid of manure. But it is an observation, which in general is just, that the soils of the best vineyards are those, which contain little nutritious
