52 On the Formation of Vine Borders. 



very 7iauseoiis effluvia ; but this must be borne, for this is the 

 pabukim to produce the nectar of Bacchus. When all is 

 ready, and the weather favorable, proceed at one end of your 

 border, wheeling in and mixing the materials in proportion as 

 they stand to each other in my previous directions, on no ac- 

 count breaking the materials ifi mixing, but turn them in as 

 rough as possible, adding one good-sized horse or core carcass 

 to evcnj 10 or 12 square yards ; using caution, and not bring- 

 ing it to the surface of the border within one foot, as its assist- 

 ance is not wanted the first year.' 



" It cannot be denied that this is a process which must not 

 be called inviting. Has it any disadvantages? Has it any 

 advantages? These are both very important branches of 

 inquiry. It may be alleged that it can have no disadvantages, 

 because the magnificent grapes above referred to, were ob- 

 tained by it. But we are ignorant of the history of those 

 Vines since 1S41, and this point it would be desirable to have 

 elucidated. In the next place, it appears to us that the intro- 

 duction into Vine borders of pasty masses of matter, such as 

 result from the use of carrion, is at variance with the first 

 principles of Vine cultivation, the truth of which was known 

 even to the Romans. 



A free loose earth is ivhat the Vines demand, 

 Where wind and frost have help'd the lab'rer's hand, 

 And sturdy peasants deep have stirred the land. 



" This was the maxim of Virgil, and all theory and experi- 

 ence prove its value. Then there are the gaseous results of 

 decomposition, v/hose putrid odors render Vine borders, con- 

 structed on Mr. Roberts' plan, so intolerably disgusting. Can 

 any one seriously believe that such an agency is desirable ? 

 That it is even suitable? Certainly we are not among the 

 number. It is perfectly well known that azotized manures in 

 a state of high concentration, are injurious or destructive to 

 vegetable life ; as is proved sufficiently by the effect of certain 

 animal matter, when ihrown upon grass land ; or as we have 

 just now evidence of before our eyes, in the form of a large 

 Oak-tree which was almost killed a few years ago, in conse- 

 quence of the contents of an old ccss-pool having been dug 

 into the ground about its roots. It is only when diluted that 



