62 ON MANURE. 



man habitation. All such constitute a valuable class 

 of manures, and n^y, therefore, be applied to a vine 

 border with the greatest advantage. If any be too 

 strong and spirituous, an equal quantity of water should 

 be mixed with them previously to their being used. 



For the purpose of top-dressing, and to be forked into 

 the border when requisite, may be named as highly en- 

 riching manures, night-soil, fish, stable manure, and the 

 excrements of every description of birds and animals. 

 Night-soil is a very stimulating manure, but transient 

 in its effects, which renders it more fit for a top-dress- 

 ing than to be used as a component part of the border 

 when first made. If spread on the surface in a thin 

 layer, it will soon dry, and may then be forked in, in a 

 pulverised state. 



In concluding these remarks on manure, it is neces- 

 sary further to observe, with respect to the application 

 of liquid manures and top-dressings, that care must be 

 taken not to make the surface of the border too rich. 

 An excess of manure deteriorates the flavour of grapes, 

 and is, moreover, injurious to the fertility of a vine, 

 inasmuch as it stimulates the plant too highly, causing 

 thereby an excessive and unnatural growth of wood, 

 which, being formed too rapidly, becomes long-jointed 

 and productive of leaf-buds instead of fruit-buds. 

 Liquid manures and top-dressings, therefore, must be 

 judiciously applied, lest a rank and barren vegetation be 

 induced, in lieu of a healthy and fruitful one. This 

 cautionary remark is the more necessary, as vines are 

 well known to be amongst the grossest feeders in na- 

 ture ; their roots absorbing with the appetite of a 

 glutton every description of liquid refuse that is placed 

 within their reach, however fetid or nauseous it may be. 



