GRAPE VINES MANURIAL DRESSINGS. 287 



and potash than do heavy loams, but less phosphoric acid. Porous soils are the most 

 benefited by liquid manure from stables, cow-houses, and cesspools, applied in advance 

 of growth in the vines. 



Equal parts of stable manure and turfy loam, chopped up to the size of horse-drop- 

 pings, two parts loam and one part farmyard manure, or the contents of earth- closets, 

 mixed, form good winter surface dressings. These are improved by mixing with each 

 bushel 4 pounds of the following mixture : steamed bone-meal, 2 parts ; sulphate of 

 potash, 1 part ; gypsum, 1 part. Incorporate the whole well together. Remove the loose 

 surface soil and supply the compost 2 inches thick, or half the quantity 1 inch may 

 be applied when the vines are at rest, and the other half when the grapes are set. 



All vine borders are benefited, except those in which the vine roots are deep, by the 

 removal of the loose surface soil and the addition of fresh loam. When the vines are 

 pruned and the house cleansed, scrape off the remains of previous mulchings, loosen 

 the surface of the border without injuring the vine roots, and, having removed the 

 old soil, supply fresh loam in its place. Where it is not convenient to apply a dressing 

 of fresh loam 1 pound of the mixture last named may be applied per square yard, 

 and slightly pointed into the soil. This is a handy and useful dressing for outside 

 borders. There is no need to wash it in the rains will do that, but when applied to 

 inside borders, well water it in. All slow-acting manures, such as bones, kainit, and horn 

 shavings, should be applied long in advance of growth, if they are to benefit the vines 

 in the season following. Quick-acting manures are best applied slightly in advance of 

 growth say, when the buds commence swelling, and at intervals of three to six 

 weeks, according to the size of the borders and necessity of feeding, until the grapes 

 change colour for ripening. Guano, sulphate of ammonia, and nitrates of potash and 

 soda must be used cautiously, especially when the roots are close to the surface, and it is 

 safer to apply half or one-third only of a full dressing 2 ounces per square yard at 

 proportionate less distant intervals than to give an overdose. Nitrate of soda may be 

 used where the soil is chalky in preference to guano and sulphate of ammonia. This fer- 

 tiliser, however, must be applied to vine borders with judgment, as an aid to growth and, 

 as a rule, not after the grapes have stoned. Soot is good for vines at the rate of a handful 

 per square yard, but it must not be used after the time just named, or the fruit may 

 acquire its flavour. Blood, dried and powdered, wood ashes from small twigs, and 

 steamed bone-meal in equal parts by measure, mixed, and applied at the rate of a good 

 handful per square yard, at intervals of three weeks, from the swelling of the buds to 



