z88 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



the grapes changing colour, give good results. It is an all-round fertilising mixture, 

 supplying other elements that vines need besides nitrogen, potash, and phosphate. 



Of chemical manures those composed mainly of bones are most in repute for vines, 

 and M. Ville's formula: Calcic superphosphate (dissolved bones), 528 pounds; potassic 

 nitrate (saltpetre), 440 pounds; calcic sulphate (gypsum), 352 pounds, mixed, per acre, 

 is an admirable compound, especially for soils deficient in lime. The mixture equals 

 llf cwts. per acre, 8 pounds per rod, and about 5 ounces per square yard. If more 

 vigour is wanted in the vines let potash predominate, that is nitrate of potash, 528 

 pounds; superphosphate, 440 pounds; and gypsum, 352 pounds ; this is preferable in most 

 cases for light soils. If the vines grow too freely, increase the phosphate and diminish 

 the potash. The following is a good general manure for vines : superphosphate, 3 parts ; 

 powdered saltpetre, \\ part ; gypsum, \\ part ; mix, and use \ pound per square yard at 

 intervals of fourteen to twenty-one days from the vines commencing growth until the 

 grapes change colour. If more vigour is desired, increase the quantity ; if less growth is 

 wanted, extend the intervals. 



Vines in a substantial border afford excellent results from dressings of dissolved 

 bones, 1 pound to the square yard, when starting into growth, repeating the application 

 when the fruit is set, and again when the last swelling commences after stoning. 

 Phosphoric acid is the chief element needing to be applied to the soil, because soils 

 generally contain the smallest relative supply, and are, therefore, soon exhausted of 

 phosphates. The large proportion of lime that enters into the composition of vine 

 borders economises the use of potash, and is, to a certain extent, interchangeable 

 with it. Grapes, however, cannot be grown without potash, and hence the need 

 of its application in about half the quantity advised for phosphates. In some cases 

 heavy dressings of superphosphate and muriate of potash have proved injurious by the 

 accumulation of the acids (sulphuric and hydrochloric) by which bones and potash are 

 dissolved. But this is rare, and can only arise through the use of bad, or the misuse of 

 good, superphosphate. In applying manures cultivators must be guided by the nature 

 of the soil and the condition of the vines for supporting them effectively. 



The soil of vine borders, in certain cases, becomes an inert soapy mass, particularly 

 near the surface, from the excessive use of mulchings with horse, cow, or farmyard 

 manure, and drenchings, without discretion, of liquid manure. The result is an excess 

 of humus and organic acids. The roots of the vines may not be absent from such 

 staple, but they are long and fibreless, and the crops of fruit unsatisfactory. To such 



