ON MANURE. 59 



mer to the latter ; and the surprising number of fibres 

 which, in both of these instances, were absorbing nutri- 

 ment through the medium of their spongioles, or newly, 

 formed extremities, clearly shews, that whole bones 

 deposited in the soil in their fresh and entire state, fur- 

 nish to the roots of vines for a long period of time an 

 extraordinary supply of food of the richest description. 



I have stated these circumstances in detail, because 

 such facts are worth all the theories in the world. 



Horns and hoofs of cattle, or the parings or shavings 

 of them, may be classed next to bones in point of value, 

 while their effects last, but their duration is not so long, 

 nor are they, indeed, to be procured in sufficient abun- 

 dance to be calculated upon for an adequate supply. 



Bone dus^ is a very powerful manure, producing im- 

 mediate effect, and is lasting in its duration ; but the 

 process of boiling bones, previously to their being 

 crushed, deprives them of their very best qualities. 



The entire carcases of animals, or any portions of 

 them, dead birds, <$fc. <$fc. independently of their bones, 

 yield, after decomposition, an extraordinary supply of 

 food for the roots of vines, impregnating the soil all 

 around with a great quantity of nutritious matter. 

 Dead animals of every description, therefore, such as 

 dogs, cats, pigs, &c. that have died, may be thus dis- 

 posed of in a most advantageous manner, by depositing 

 them, in their entire state, in the vine border. 



Cuttings of leather, old or new, old shoes, fyc. are a 

 very valuable manure, remaining in the ground many 

 years before entirely decomposed. The roots of vines 

 are very partial to this description of manure. I have 

 examined the soles of old shoes that have been depos- 

 ited in the soil upwards of seven years, and have found 

 their surfaces covered with fibres, feeding eagerly upon 

 them. 



WboUg* rags, feathers, and hair, may all be mentioned 



