38 THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



blade of grass that arises, is saved -with as much care as the 

 grapes, and given to the cows. Dung is, however, sometimes 

 laid on in JNIarch, but it is not thought so proper for that work 

 as autumn. Over-manuring is thought prejudicial. But this 

 depends on the soil ; for some lands are so deficient in natural 

 fertility, that, unless they are manured more than commonly, 

 they will not yield a crop ; they lay a thousand baskets, and 

 sometimes even twelve hundred on such." 



Speedily says that the vine requires " a plentiful supply of 

 water during summer, particularly in a hot, dry season. 



" ' It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it 

 might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that 

 it might be a goodly vine.' — Ezekiel, xvii. 8. 



" In hot countries, the vine is said to grow the most luxu- 

 riant in a situation which is near the water, but it is generally 

 allowed, that the flavor of the grape from vines in such a sit- 

 uation is much inferior to that of grapes growing in a dry soil. 



" During winter, I have frequently Avatered the vine bor- 

 der with a thick, black liquor, the drainage of the dunghills ; 

 and, though this practice was intended solely to enrich the 

 soil, yet it is not improbable but this powerful liquor, by being 

 impregnated with saline particles, may communicate a warmth 

 to the roots of the vine during the winter, and thereby prove 

 serviceable in that respect also. However that may be, from 

 the uncommon vigor of the vines, I have been led into a be- 

 lief of the utility of this practice. But let me at the same 

 time observe, that I have always applied this powerful ma- 

 nure, (if I may so call it,) with great caution. I have found 

 the beginning of winter the most proper time for using this 

 kind of manure ; and then I only venture to give two or three 

 plentiful waterings, fearing that, if this were to be applied 

 either in the spring or the summer, or even in too great quan- 

 tities, it miglit tend, from its great power, to cause the leaves 

 of the vine to change from a green to a yellow hue. The 

 drainage of the dunghill is the very strength and power of 

 the dung ; for water, constantly filtering through stable yard 



