ON MANURE. 



57 



any other liquid whatever. It should he used as fresh 

 as possihle, and if applied in the growing season, or 

 betwixt the middle of March and the first of Novem- 

 ber, it should be mixed with an equal quantity of 

 water ; at any other period of the year it may be cast 

 on the border in its natural state. 



Soot, dissolved in water, in the proportion of one 

 quart of the former to twelve quarts of the latter, and 

 mixed a few days previously to its being used, is an 

 exceedingly strong manure, highly stimulating in its 

 nature, and a great purifier of the soil. 



Blood, the draimngs of dung-heaps, and soap-suds, 

 should be used as fresh as possible, in order that their 

 good qualities may be preserved entire. They are 

 all valuable manures, and calculated to enrich the 

 soil in a very high degree. 



To the foregoing may be added, every description 

 of liquid refuse that proceeds from a dwelling-house 

 or human habitation. All such constitute a valuable 

 class of manures, and may, 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^dresshig, and to be forked 

 into the border when requisite, may be named as 

 highly enriching manures, night-soil, fish, stable ma- 

 nure, and the excrements of every description of birds 

 and ariimals. Night-soil is a very stimulating ma- 

 nure, but transient in its effects, which renders it 

 more fit for a top-dressing than to be used as a com- 

 ponent 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 pulverized 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 maniu'e deteriorates the flavor of grapes, 

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



