THE GRAPE VINE. 65 



the finer. Then to six parts of loam add one part of 

 old lime-rubbish taken from old buildings, and one part 

 charcoal. To every 6 cubic yards put 1 cwt. of rough 

 bone-meal, and 2 cwt. of half- inch bones. When 

 lime-rubbish can be more easily had than charcoal, 

 and vice versd, the one can be substituted for the 

 other. When a heavier soil than is desirable has to 

 be taken, then add more lime-rubbish and charcoal ; 

 and when the soil is lighter, use less of these sub- 

 stances. In the absence of either lime-rubbish or 

 charcoal, old brickbats pounded down to the size 

 of road-metal can be substituted as the next best. 

 I have used burned clay with good effect when 

 other open material could not conveniently be se- 

 cured. These porous materials, especially charcoal, 

 have the power of absorbing carbonic acid gas and 

 ammonia from the air, besides being conservative of 

 moisture in time of drought, and absorb manurial 

 applications, to be gradually given off to the roots of 

 plants. We do not recommend that any animal 

 manures, such as horse-droppings, be mixed with this 

 compost. These should be applied as top-dressings 

 when the state of the vines demands them. 



When the nature of the soil is essentially clayey, 

 although the most turfy portion be taken, it never 

 fails in after-years to revert to a clayey adhesive body ; 

 a larger proportion, therefore, of the open materials 

 named should be used, and the border need not be so 

 deep. I would strongly urge that no more manure be 

 used than the comparatively small proportion named. 

 A border composed as has been directed, forms a body 

 of soil of the best possible description for conveying 

 to the roots in after-years nourishment from rich top- 

 dressings and waterings without becoming soured and 



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