238 THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



rich borders, refers to mjself, as recommending the use of 

 " the carcasses of animals, to such an extent as to cover the 

 bottom of the border, if they could be obtained." His state- 

 ment is correct ; but my views would have been better un- 

 derstood, had some allusion have been made to the substitute. 

 My reasons for recommending the carcasses of animals, are 

 several, — such as the durability of their bones, the exciting na- 

 ture and strength of the manure formed from the decomposed 

 flesh, etc., and their cheapness. In the fall of the year, near 

 large cities, it is frequently easy to procure the bodies of 

 horses, either dead or living, for a mere trifle, — often they 

 can be had free of cost, brought to your place, and then 

 killed, and the thanks of the owners to you in addition, for 

 providing a place of deposit, near at hand, for them, which, 

 otherwise, might occasion them some expense in their removal 

 to a distance, or of burj^ing them. All bodies of animals, killed 

 accidentally, or by disease, are of no value in this country, 

 but as manure, and when such can be had, there is so much 

 saved. On the contrary, the land that has been skimmed of 

 its turf, and three or four inches of its best soil, (in this part 

 of our country at least,) is almost ruined. It is true, you 

 may rob your own land, but, should your garden be in the 

 city, (as mine is situated,) you would search many an hour, 

 before the proper pasture soil could be obtained. Knowing 

 these difficulties in providing suitable soil from a pasture, I, 

 in the first place, gave the directions for the compost, with 

 the animal carcasses ; and then, in giving the substitute, pre- 

 sumed that it would be understood, that I did not consider 

 that is was imperatively necessary, that these materials, flesh 

 and all, should be incorporated into the border. That it is 

 best to do so, I firml}^ believe. 



My first border was made in 1834, on a flooring of stones ; 

 it was very rich : much slaughter-house manure, with many 

 bones, were incorporated with the soil ; cow manure, and 

 some lime, also, was added nearer the surface. This house 

 has always had artificial heat applied to it ; and, for the last 



