ON MANURE. 51 



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 

 applied with advantage to promote their growtli, 

 comprehend, ^r^^, such as can be mixed and incor- 

 porated with the soil at the formation of the border, 

 and which add to its fertility, from time to time, ac- 

 cording to the respective periods of their decomposi- 

 tion and amalgamation with it; and, secondly^ such 

 as can be apphed in a liquid state, or otherwise, as a 

 top-dressing, at any subsequent period. 



Of these 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 afford- 

 ing to the roots of the vine, the highest degree of 

 nourishment combined with the greatest permanency 

 of duration. Of this description are bones^ horns and 

 hoofs of cattle, bone dust, the entire carcases of ani- 

 mals, cidtings of leather, woolen 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. 



Bones, however, on account of their prolonged 

 effect, are by far the most valuable manure that can 

 be deposited in a vine border. They should be buried 

 in the soil whole, as fresh as possible. Every variety 

 of size may be procured, from the smallest bone of a 



