Calculations on the reclamation of vineyard slopes in the Merano District Court

Appendix.

Economy.

Few printed calculations are as yet known regarding the uncommon diligence of the inhabitants of the southern valley of the Adige River in Tyrol. Domestic and foreign consumers, near and far, enjoy the fruits of their hot climate, much as Europeans enjoy the sugar of the equatorial zone. Among the learned and unlearned agronomists of South Tyrol, there is many an Abbé Rozier. As a basis for further calculations, the following estimate on the costly reclamation of the vineyard slopes in the I. R. District Court of Merano up to the first yield of local viticulture may be of interest:

One hundred Viennese fathoms cost in Imperial currency:

Land clearing ……… 100 fl.

The interest, 5 per cent, over 4 years ……… 20 –

The vine cuttings (les Crossettes) 2000 pieces ……… 6 –

Twice manuring, at least 10 cartloads,

including labor ……… 50 –

Interest for 2 years ……… 5 –

Poles (posts) of chestnut wood, including

labor and transport, bought in the third year … 40 –

Interest for 1 year ……… 2 –

Maneillen (thin stakes for the first shoots)

1000 pieces ……… 3 –

Poles, 75 spruce pieces ……… 8 –

Marzan (crossbeams) of larch wood 200 pieces ……… 12 –

Stallein (cross-pieces) spruce 200 pieces ……… 4 –

Total in Imperial currency 250 fl.

The cheapest form of clearing consists of digging or furrowing, but is applicable only on level ground previously well cleared; it then costs only 25 fl., whereas clearing the whole field with a hard clay layer (here called "Kampf") costs over 200 fl., and with necessary retaining walls at Küchelberg near Merano over 250 fl.; the author therefore assumed an average price of 100 fl. in Imperial currency.

The barest manuring of the young vine occurs in the 1st and 3rd years, and the first, often disappointing harvest in the 4th year; the author balanced the labor costs of the young vine over the 4 years against the yield of the maize intercrop, which however is insufficient at low prices; adding the remaining burdens, agronomic calculations regarding the yield of vineyards in the I. R. District Court of Merano—in average wine years—given location and cultivation, ought to be similar to those listed by Chaptal in the department of Mayenne (formerly Anjou). G.