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Their writers on agriculture, indeed, the lovers and promoters of

high cultivation, seem generally disposed to decide with

Columella in favour of the vineyard. In France, the anxiety of

the proprietors of the old vineyards to prevent the planting of

any new ones, seems to favour their opinion, and to indicate a

consciousness in those who must have the experience, that this

species of cultivation is at present in that country more

profitable than any other. It seems, at the same time, however,

to indicate another opinion, that this superior profit can last

no longer than the laws which at present restrain the free

cultivation of the vine.