GRAPE VINES FORMULA FOR BORDERS. 



253 



the soil open and supplying lime for nitrification. 3, Wood ashes furnish potash, 

 magnesia, and other mineral elements. 4, Charcoal absorbs ammonia, retains large 

 quantities of gases in its pores and yields up the elements again as plant food, increases 

 the power of the soil to absorb heat and renders it more friable. 5, Fish refuse pro- 

 vides nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and magnesia, yielding the substances rather slowly. 

 6, Oyster-shells, whole or crushed, act mechanically and chemically, keeping the soil 

 open and furnishing lime. 7, Horns and hoofs parings or refuse decompose slowly, 

 and supply nitrogen. 8, Bones, coarsely crushed, furnish phosphate of lime, nitrogen, 

 and phosphate of magnesia with a little soda. Soot contains ammonia salts. 



Some of the foregoing ingredients are generally intermixed with the loam in 

 forming a compost for vine borders, but the need or otherwise of them must be deter- 

 mined by analysis or individual judgment. Four recipes for the guidance of beginners 

 are subjoined. 



FORMULA FOR BORDERS. 



A cartload of loam contains about ten barrow-loads of about 3 bushels each. The 

 proportions of the several ingredients may, therefore, be readily calculated so as to 

 meet every requirement. All the mixtures have proved excellent 1, sound, durable, 

 suiting all varieties, including Frontignans and Muscats ; 2, open, suited to liquid feeding 

 or a heavy rain-fall, midseason and other crops ; 3, adapted to all varieties and cultures, 

 first propounded by Mr. W. Thomson ; 4, suitable for the hardier and coarse varieties. 



It may be added that formula No. 2, the border 3 feet deep on a bed of gravel, 

 gave, with otherwise good management, by the late Mr. James Dickson, at Arkleton, 

 Dumfriesshire, the following extraordinary results in the production of heavy bunches 

 of grapes during seven consecutive years. In 1869 the largest bunch he exhibited 

 weighed 16 pounds; 1870, 19 pounds 5 ounces; 1871, 18 pounds 7 ounces; 1872, 19 



