154 THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



" In the year 1826, several vines were planted. In the 

 following year, a quantity of bones, the largest of which Avas 

 the blade bone of a calf, was digged into the border, five or 

 six feet from the wall. 



" In the spring of 1833, the border was opened, in order 

 to ascertain to what extent the roots of the vine were nour- 

 ished by these bones. It was found that the roots had 

 branched out in every possible direction amongst them, the 

 surfaces of which were completely covered with their fibres. 



" Bone dust is a very powerful manure, producing immedi- 

 ate effect, and is lasting in its duration. 



" Liquid manure is highly valuable, where immediate effect 

 is required. The most powerful are urine, sootwater, blood, 

 the drainings of dungheaps, and soap suds. The first of 

 these, on account of its saline qualities, is better calculated to 

 promote the fertility of the vine than any other liquid. 



" For the purpose of top dressing, and to be forked into 

 the border when requisite, may be named, as highly enriching 

 manures, night-soil, fish, stable manure, and the excrements 

 of every description of birds and animals. It is necessary 

 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." 



After the vine has become established, Mr. Hoare says : 

 " The winter being the proper time to manure the border, let 

 it now be lightly forked up, and a good coating of manure 

 laid over it about six inches deep, which will answer the two- 

 fold purpose of enriching the border, and protecting the roots 

 of the vine." 



According to Mr. Hoare, grapes may be grown in perfection 

 in England, and to a great extent (by following his directions,) 

 on walls and espaliers, and he gives a scale of measurement of 

 the vine, by which to regulate the crop, as follows : A vine 

 of three inches in circumference may bear five pounds ; a 

 vine of three and a half inches in circumference may bear ten 

 pounds ; and advancing in this ratio to ten inches circum- 



