56 ON MANURE. 



trograde movement in consequence of having been 

 unnaturally excited by a gluttonous supply of stimu- 

 lating food. Steadiness of supply and pennanency of 

 duration^ are the two grand requisites of all manures 

 intended to be deposited in borders appropriated for 

 the growth of vines; and those already enumerated 

 have been found by experience to possess these valu- 

 able qualities in a greater degree than any other. 



As a point of culture of great importance to be at- 

 tended to, in depositing manure in the soil, care must 

 be taken not to dig it in too deeply. The roots of vines 

 should be induced to extend themselves in a horizon- 

 tal manner, and as near the surface of the border as 

 possible. Solar heat is generally supposed to pene- 

 trate to the depth of three feet, but its effects at that 

 distance from the surface cannot be very strong, espe- 

 cially in soils that are of an adliesive nature. The 

 food, therefore, that is provided for the roots of vines 

 should lie embedded in the soil in the form of a hori- 

 zontal stratum or layer, the top of which should be 

 about six inches, and the bottom not more than two 

 feet, below the surface. Manure so deposited will 

 cause the roots to spread themselves out within such 

 a distance of the surface as will keep them warm and 

 dry, and enable them to receive the cherishing influ- 

 ence of the sun and air. 



Liquid manure. This is a species of manure that 

 is highly valuable where mimediate effect is required. 

 As the pores which abound in the fibres of the roots 

 of plants are too small to admit of any solid substance 

 passing into them, and can only absorb nutriment 

 when presented to them either in a fluid or gaseous 

 state, liquid manures act with a far greater degree of 

 energy than those of a solid nature, inasmuch as they 

 contain all the soluble parts of manure in such a state 

 as to admit of being taken up by the roots as soon as 

 applied. The most powerful are urvne^ soot-water^ 

 bloody the drainings of dung-heaps^ and soap-suds, 



Urine^ on account of its saline qualities, is better 

 calculated to promote the fertility of the vine than 



