148 THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



ing that abundance of nourisliment to which they have been ac- 

 customed, they suifer m consequence, and often fall victims to 

 the want of it. Thus a part of the plants are lost, either by 

 too much or too little nourishment. But vines can receive, 

 and it is often advantageous to give them, such manure as will 

 make good the poverty of the soil, its exhaustion, or what is 

 required otherwise for this sort of cultivation. No manure 

 suits vines better than what is properly called vegetable earth, 

 obtained by the decomposition of plants. Mosses, leaves, and 

 turf, mixed together, thrown up in great heaps, and left for 

 about two years to ferment, make the very best manure of 

 this sort." Page 333. 



These remarks follow the above, quoted by Dr. Lindley, 

 and may be considered essential to the proper understanding 

 of the matter : — 



" Nevertheless, as it is often impossible to procure, in suf- 

 ficient quantities, these (decomposed vegetables,) substances, 

 intelligent cultivators have recourse to such as can be had 

 from the bottom of rivers, ponds, and ditches, and the sweep- 

 ings of the roads and streets ; these are made up in heaps, 

 composed alternately of a layer of these articles and a layer 

 of old dung from the cow or ox, the horse or sheep. This is 

 left to winter in this condition ; it is then spaded over, on all 

 sides, and this is repeated often during a year ; after this, it 

 is ready to be applied to the vines. Manures diifer in quality, 

 and it cannot be positively said which is best for a place, un- 

 less the quahty of the earth which is to receive it is known. 

 A manure may be destructive to a vine in one part of a vine- 

 yard, and yet be highly invigorating to some other part even 

 of the same vineyard. 



" To improve a soil that is too moist, spread gravel upon it ; 

 that from ravines is preferable, because it contains a mixture 

 of humus, and shells, and marl, and other calcareous sub- 

 stances. You may also give for manure, ashes, soot, pigeon's 

 dvmg, and other powerful substances, but it is necessary that 

 these should be for a long time exposed to the air and reduced 



