GRAPE VINE. 83 



Soil. — In almost any good deep and dry soil, the 

 grape-vine will thrive. Where the soil is shallow, very 

 dry and gravelly, the produce will be less in quantity, 

 but of better flavor than that raised on rich and deep 

 ground. ^ 



Manures for Grape- Vines. — Dr. Liebig refers to 

 instances where vines have been maintained in a pro- 

 ductive condition for twenty to thirty years, by simply 

 returning to them their leaves and trimmings, the 

 last being cut into small pieces and dug into the soil 

 by means of a spade or hoe. Some manures favor the 

 growth of wood and foliage rather than fruit. High 

 manuring will generally have this effect, a rule which 

 is applicable to all other plants or trees. Hence, the 

 judicious selection and application of manures are im- 

 portant matters. Ground bones, horn shavings, old 

 woolen rags, the dust and dirt from paved roads and 

 streets, perfectly rotted stable manure, poudrette, are 

 some of the best. 



To believe that the vine will continue to bear to all 

 time, with no other nourishment than it receives from 

 its own refuse, is inconsistent with the revelations of 

 recent scientific researches. Organic chemistry shows 

 us what the fruit extracts from the soil, among which 

 are large proportions of phosphate of lime and potash. 

 A portion of the last may be restored by the return 

 of the trimmings and leaves. But ultimately the potash 

 required by the vine must be exhausted wherever there 

 is not a granitic soil to furnish it, by the decomposition 

 of its felspar or mica. As to the phosphate of lime 

 taken away with the fruit, scarcely any portion of which 

 is returned by the vine-wood and leaves, this must be 



