ON MANURE. 55 



CHAPTER VI. 



ON MANURE. 



EVERY substance that enriches the soil, and stimu- 

 lates the growth of plants, may be called a manure. 



As a border in which vines are to be planted ought 

 never to be disturbed, after having been once properly 

 made, it follows, that those manures that can be ap- 

 plied with advantage to promote their growth, com- 

 prehend, first, such as can be mixed and incorporated 

 with the soil at the formation of the border, and which 

 add to its fertility, from time to time, according to the 

 respective periods of their decomposition and amal- 

 gamation with it ; and, secondly, such as can be ap- 

 plied in a liquid state, or otherwise, as a top-dressing, 

 at any subsequent period. 



Of those manures, therefore, that may be mixed with 

 the soil when the border is first made, the best are 

 such as possess the two valuable qualities of affording 

 to the roots of the vine the highest degree of nourish- 

 ment, combined with the greatest permanency of dura- 

 tion. Of this description are bones, horns and hoofs of 

 cattle, bone dust, the entire carcases of animals, cuttings 

 of leather, woollen rags, feathers, and hair. 



It is unnecessary to enter into a minute detail of the 

 various properties of these manures ; chemical analy- 

 sis having ascertained, and experience amply proved, 

 that all of them, as they gradually and respectively 

 decompose, offer to the roots of plants an abundant 

 supply of food of the most nourishing description. 



