47 



superfluous water. The covering is to be removed 

 in March, and the border slightly forked up ; it is 

 much better to remove it than to allow it to remain 

 one day longer than required as a protection, the sun 

 and air being of the greatest advantage. (Gard. 

 Journ. 1845. 219.) 



This removal of the fermenting dung in March is not 

 objectionable, but we certainly think that it is much 

 better to continue a covering of dried fern or other 

 similar material until the spring months of cold dry 

 winds are passed. In this our experience coincides 

 with that of Mr. H. Bowers, of Busbridge, who ob- 

 serves that — 



The practice of protecting the vine border with 

 straw is particularly beneficial in March, April, and 

 May, when the days are clear and warm, and the 

 nights cold and frosty ; the staw is drawn to one side 

 during the hours of strong sunshine, exposing the 

 soil to its genial influence ; towards sunset the straw is 

 again spread over the border, and being a good non- 

 conductor it retains in the border much of the solar 

 heat. Always cover after an application of liquid 

 manure, as it in some measure prevents the ammonia 

 from escaping and the heat of the border from being 

 lost ; for, with the escape of watery vapour, more or 

 less heat is abstracted from the earth. This should 

 be guarded against where forcing is going forward ; 

 for though the fluids may be always in motion, yet 



