MANURES FOR VINES. 23 



is applied with other manures, of which it forms a part the value 

 of wood ashes as a manure arises from this. For direct application 

 to the soil, nitrate of potash, otherwise nitre of saltpetre, in a powdered 

 state may be used. Sulphate, or chloride of potash, answers the 

 same purpose ; one pound of either of these salts mixed with an 

 equal quantity of sulphate of lime, otherwise gypsum, will make an 

 excellent top-dressing for a small Vine border ; this should be slightly 

 forked into the soil, and well watered. Superphosphate of lime is also 

 to be recommended for occasional application, in the same manner, 

 during the growing season. The late Mr. Bashford, one of the largest and 

 most successful cultivators in Jersey, used a mixture of half-hundred- 

 weight of the superphosphate to one hundredweight of nitrate of 

 potash, giving one pound of this mixture to the square yard. The 

 following mixture has also been found highly efficient : 



Dissolved Bones - - 2 cwt. 



Nitrate of Potash - - 1 



Sulphate of Lime - - 1 



Using two pounds to the square yard, and repeating the application 

 at intervals of three or four weeks during the season, according to the 

 appearance of the Vines. Many patent manures have been 

 recommended, mostly at extremely high prices, and which are mainly 

 composed of the ingredients we have enumerated or others of lesser 

 importance and value. The best of these prepared manures that has 

 come under our notice, and which we have used with very great 

 success, is " Thomson's Vine Manure." One hundredweight of this 

 manure to every four tons of soil is recommended for making a new 

 Vine border, and for top-dressing one pound to the superficial yard 

 twice during the season. Much, however, in regard to the application 

 of manures, must be governed by the character of soil used ; by 

 experience alone can the requisite knowledge be acquired. 



Size of Border. The Vine maybe grown in a very small space, 

 and in a very little soil, as is evidenced by the splendid results 

 obtained by its cultivation in pots. This pot system may be termed 

 " high pressure " cultivation, and, as a consequence, such Vines are 

 soon exhausted arid worn out one crop for one season and they are 

 done. In larger tubs or boxes they last a little longer ; and so, in 

 regular proportions, no doubt, according to the quantity of soil and the 

 nourishment supplied (although the ratio may be somewhat difficult 

 to estimate correctly), is the vigour of the Vine maintained. If per- 

 manent Vines are desired Vines that will continue in full vigour for, 

 say, twenty years a border of considerable size must be provided. 

 In small narrow borders, with a restricted quantity of soil, success for 

 a time may be very great, but that can only be maintained by the 

 application of much nourishment in the way of top- dressings, and by 

 renewal of the soil, etc. ? which becomes expensive. Many good culti- 

 vators form their Vine borders in sections, i.e., three or four feet is 



