MANURE. 209 



mixed with the soil in which plants are growing, it is 

 necessary it be thoronglily rotten. However much 

 may have been written about the waste incurred by 

 allowing manure to decompose, it is a well know fact 

 that thoroughly decomposed manure is beneficial to 

 most plants, while decomposing or fermenting ma- 

 nure is frequently prejudicial. This probably arises 

 from the fact that all bodies while undergoing decom- 

 position exert a catalytic action on any organized 

 matter in contact with them. Thus decomposing 

 manure directly tends to produce rot in the roots or 

 other parts of plants with which it comes in contact. 



The proper time for the application of manure to 

 a vine border has been a subject of much discussion. 

 Our plan is to apply it as a top-dressing in the fall 

 and fork it in in the spring. It thus serves to keep the 

 border warm and the soluble portions are w^ashed 

 down amongst the roots of the vine by the winter 

 snow and rain, thus reaching it in a most effectual 

 manner. To assist this process, the border should be 

 loosened with a fork before the manure is laid on. 



Of all the substances entering into the composi- 

 tion of a manure heap none have a better influence 

 upon vines than bones. In the formation of a border 

 they are of essential utility, affording for a long period 

 a constant source of nutriment. The avidity with 

 which the roots of the vine seek such a depot of food 



