The Manuring of Vinbyaeds. 



165 



composition and cost per morgen of eacb of tlie above formulae is 

 listed : — 



(The costs are, of course, liable to variation according to market 

 conditions.) 



The cost of formula No. 4 shows clearly that where artificial 

 fertilizers alone are used the expense is by far the greatest. Note 

 also in formulae Nos. 1(b) and 3 (c) the increased cost due to using 

 sulphate of potash as the source of potash instead of kraal ash or 

 Karroo sheep manure. Formula No. 2, where stable manure is used, 

 is outstandingly the most economical, and then follows No. 1 (a), 

 where green manure is used and potash is supplied in the form of 

 kraal ash. After these, formulae Nos. 3 (a) and 3 (h), where guano 

 is used, are the cheapest. 



Systems 2 and 1 (a) are strongly recommended, for they add a 

 great deal of humus to the soil, and are also economical. If it is 

 impossible to use one or other of these every year, they should at least 

 be used as frequently as possible. Failing these, Nos. 3 (h) and 3 (a) 

 are recommended. The formulae where kraal ash is used are 

 especially suitable for acid soils, as the ash contains a fair amount 

 of lime. Basic slag is also a useful kind of phosphate for acid soils 

 on account of t.he lime it contains — but its price must be favourable. 

 If the farmer should decide to use superphosphate or sulphate of 

 ammonia, he should see that his vineyard receives a dressing of lime^ 

 unless it is already well provided with lime. 



Time and Methods of Applying Manures. 



Attention must be drawn to the fact that certain fertilizer 

 materials must never be mixed before applying to the soil. Lime, 

 basic slag, or kraal ash should never be mixed with guano, manure, 

 or sulphate of ammonia, as this would cause a loss of valuable 

 nitrogen in the form of ammonia gas (the loss can be detected by the 

 smell of ammonia). These fertilizers can, however, be used on the 

 same soil, for the soil holds the ammonia and prevents it from 

 escaping — but they must be applied separately. 



Similarly, superphosphate must not be mixed with lime or basic 

 slag, or kraal ash, because the water-soluble phosphoric oxide will be 

 changed to an insoluble form, and thus made less quickly available. 

 This, however, is not as important a consideration in fertilizing vine- 

 yards as in the case of grain lands, where a quick acting fertilizer 

 i.'j desirable. 



With regard to the method of applying manures, the custom of 

 burying it in holes or in furrows between the vine rows is not a good 

 one, for then the vine roots do not develop evenly in every direction 



