FORMATION OF VINE BORDERS. 71 



the sward is half decomposed), in the form of a potato 

 hod, close covered in with soil, and never turned ; one 

 part, the turf with four inches of the soil, of a looser 

 texture laid up for the same period, and not turned, 

 as before ; an eighth part scrapings of the highways 

 formed from limestone, or other hard material ; and 

 the other eighth part, half decomposed horse or cow 

 dung. I am not an advocate for turning over and 

 mixing the materials promiscuously together, as, by 

 often turning, the compost becomes too solid, losing a 

 great portion of its fertilizing property by such re- 

 peated interpilxture ; and unless it be of a very sandy, 

 loose texture, the border will, in a few years, become 

 impervious both to water, and to atmospheric air, 

 wliich are of incalculable benefit to the growth of the 

 vine. I would recommend the autumn, if the weather 

 be dry, to prepare to fill in your border. 



" A month previous to filling your border, provide a 

 quantity of carrion, cattle dying by accident, disease, 

 etc., which I am sorry to say, has, of late years, 

 been too common an occurrence. If you have col- 

 lected it some time before hand, have it cut into small 

 pieces and laid up in soil till the time of using. It 

 emits a very nauseous effluvia, but this must be borne, 

 for this is the jpabulum to produce the nectar of 

 Bacchus. When all is ready, and the weather favor- 

 able, proceed at one end of your border, wheeling in 



