BORDERS OR PREPARED BEDS. 51 



tility, where the same spot is constantly cropped. In the 

 present subject we are precisely in this position, and there 

 ought to be great regard for the future constitutional 

 power, if a healthy after-life be cared for, which is not to 

 be acquired by the excessive quantity of these helps, 

 that only act upon the vegetable, in the same manner 

 as do alcoholic drinks upon the human system. All our 

 best physicians acknowledge the good effects of stimu- 

 lants in particular kinds of disease, when administered 

 with skill, and everybody knows how soon the strongest 

 constitution is broken down by the great quantities that 

 too many indulge in. So it is with the grape vine ; we 

 all commence with endeavoring to gain strong, and more 

 than natural growth, but there certainly is no reason why 

 we should keep our plants in a continual state of intoxica- 

 tion, from the moment of their first awaking in the spring, 

 till they finally rest on the approach of winter, and still 

 leaving the same baneful influence, to diffuse itself over 

 the whole outer surface of the roots (which are equivalent 

 to the mouths of animals), until the next season's warmth 

 again arouses their action. We would not by any means 

 have it understood, that we are opposed to the judicious 

 use of ammonia, or any of the other compounds that are 

 to be found in more abundance in the animal, than in the 

 vegetable bod'y ; but do protest against the inordinate 

 mixture of such, often to the exclusion of other, and more 

 necessary bases, and which leaves the plant after a few 

 years of undue excitement, a prey to disease and prema- 

 ture decay. If success has seemed to attend the progress 

 in some instances, the failures have been much greater, 

 and unprejudiced experience shows, that more injury than 

 benefit has arisen from the admixture of animal matter, 

 even in small quantities, and in anything like a fresh state. 

 These remarks are only intended to apply to the fleshy 



