THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 66 



The proportions recommended for this border, are one half 

 loam, one fourth hones, or other strong manure, one eighth 

 oyster shells, or lime and brick rubbish, and one eighth rotten 

 stable manure. 



Before planting the vines, the border should be spaded 

 over, to mix well the top substances, being careful not to dis- 

 turb the strong manures at bottom, as these substances, when 

 decomposing, would destroy any of the roots of the vine with 

 which they came in contact. 



Should the soil be poor, decrease the proportion used in 

 preparing the border, and, in the same ratio, increase the ma- 

 nures, or substitute the top soil of a loamy pasture. 



If the soil is very poor, or unsuitable for the purpose, so as 

 to require to be removed entirely, then a compost, prepared 

 thus, is recommended : — one half to be the top soil of an old 

 pasture ; one quarter to be bones, or some other strong ma- 

 same material throughout ; but, as they could be procured, they were placed in posi- 

 tion, as fresh as possible, (before they became offensive.) If the carcass of an animal 

 was had, it was simply quartered, and laid in and covered with the soil. If the en- 

 tire skeleton of the horse was had, (of which there are, iu this border, at least fort}',) 

 it was similarly placed, as also die slaughter-house manure ; but when, as was the 

 case in some parts, bones were used which had been boiled, the floor of the border 

 was covered with these from two to four inches deep, and the freshest cow manure 

 which could be had was placed to the depth of from two to four inches upon them, 

 and this again was covered with a like quantitj' of bones, which were stuck into the 

 manure in every direction, care being had that they should not lie flat on its surface ; 

 the object in view, being to have as rich a material in this case, as when the other 

 manures were employed. Sometimes, old mortar and brickbats were mixed with 

 the shells, and used in connection with them. 



In preparing this border, there was found a diflercnce in the natural soil, part of il 

 being a very rich yellow loam, several feet deep, and part of it a gravelly or slaty 

 soil, not more than two feet deep, upon a bottom of rotten rock. The rich soil did 

 not require as much manure as the thin, and received less, but more shells, and old 

 mortar, and bricks ; and the thin slaty soil received more than the above proportions 

 of manures, and less of the shells, etc. This border is on a hill-side, and these arc 

 the extremes of soils at the top and bottom. Thus situated, there was no occasion 

 for rocks, or any kind of drainage at the bottom of the border, and, consequently, 

 none was used. In a border since made, to the above ingredients I have added a 

 good proportion of charcoal screenings, and, when they can be had convenicnth , 

 they should alwa3's form a part of the compost, as being valuable, tending to kecj) 

 the soil porous and light, and, also, as affording moisture in seasons of drought, and 

 as absorbents of ammonia from the atmosphere. 



