68 THE AMERICAN VINE-DRESSER'S GUIDE. 



would advise that fine, dry weather be cliosen 

 for this operation, when there is no likeliliood 

 of rain. 



OF MANURING. 



Gkeat judgment is to be exercised in the 

 performance of manuring. Manuring too co- 

 piously destroys the vine ; and if it is not 

 manured, especially in arid grounds, there 

 will be danger of having very meagre crops. 

 The most suitable fertilizer is that made up 

 of a layer of dung and a layer of good earth, 

 left for a year or two together. !N"ever use 

 litter manure. If you wish to see your vine 

 thrive well, cover the roots with a good shov- 

 elful of mould, and sprinkle them with a solu- 

 tion of water and cow-dung, first at the time 

 of planting, and again a fortnight later ; you 



