136 FRUIT GARDEN COMPANION. 



rotten manure, or, in order to have a border pre- 

 pared in a superior manner, the top sod of a rich, 

 loamy pasture may be taken off six inches deep, and 

 thrown into a heap ; if one-third rotten manure from 

 a slaughter house is added it will answer a good pur- 

 pose. 



The compost may be thrown into the pit or bor- 

 der, where it may lay a month or two to get into a 

 state of fermentation, when it should be turned and 

 well mixed as a manure heap. This may be done 

 two or three times, in order to incorporate it well 

 together. I would also recommend about fifty pounds 

 of sulphur or a barrel of air slacked lime to be mixed 

 with the compost the last time of turning, which will 

 destroy many insects detrimental to the vine, and act 

 as a stimulant to its growth. 



Planting the vines. In planting the vinery every 

 precaution should be taken to procure select kinds 

 of grape of respectable nursery-men, or amateurs, 

 who can be relied on, for correctness. I have often 

 seen grape-houses furnished with ordinary sorts 

 of grapes, owing to injudicious selections, which 

 have been replanted at a great expense and loss of 

 two or three years' growth, which is considerable in 

 such cases. The vines for planting should at least 

 be two year's old, and those raised from the eye and 

 rooted in pots expressly for the purpose, are the 

 best.* The best time for planting is early in the 

 spring, about the latter part of March or begin- 

 ning of April. One plant to each rafter may be 



* Fine plants of this description have been cultivated by Mr 

 McCullough, of South Boston, this year, 1838; a scientific and prac- 

 tical gardener, who can be relied on as to the correctness of his varie- 

 ties. 



