28 AMERICAN GRAPE CULTURE. 



we shall not object. Coarse, unfermented ma 

 nures should not be applied to the vineyard, 

 except when they can be thoroughly and 

 evenly mixed with and through the soil. 

 On the whole, we know of nothing so good 

 as old, well-decayed barnyard manure, com 

 posted with muck. This, thoroughly worked 

 in and through the soil at the beginning to the 

 depth of eighteen or twenty inches, will leave 

 little or nothing more to be desired. Ashes, 

 bones, lime, poudrette, etc., have their value, but 

 should generally be applied as a top dressing, 

 though they may all be likewise mixed with 

 the compost last named. In preparing a vine 

 yard, the object to be aimed at is a thoroughly 

 good, but not excessively rich, soil of consider 

 able depth. Depth, indeed, is of more import 

 ance than great richness, though a pretty good 

 degree of fertility may be considered indispens 

 able for a productive vineyard. Where it can 

 be done, a good plan is to place the materials 

 of the compost heap in layers, and let them 

 remain so for several weeks; then turn and 

 mix them thoroughly, and repeat the operation 

 every week or so till the compost is wanted for 

 use. The oftener it is turned, the better it will 

 be. 



