72 OPEN AIR GRArE CULTURE. 



and mixing the materials in proportion as tliey stand 

 to each other in my previous directions, on no account 

 breaking the materials in mixing, but turn them in as 

 rough as possible, adding one good sized horse or cow 

 carcass to every ten or twelve square yards, nsing 

 caution, and not bringing it to the surface of the 

 border within one foot as its assistance is not wanted 

 the first year. What I have here recommended is 

 my practice adopted at this place, the result of wliich, 

 I dare presume to say, has surprised all, both gentle- 

 men and practical gardeners, who have witnessed it." 



Fiske Allen, one of the best American culturists 

 of the vine under glass, constructs his borders thus : 



'' If the soil is very poor, or unsuitable for the pur- 

 j)ose, so as to require to be removed entirely, then 

 a compost prepared thus is recommended ; one-half 

 to be the top soil of an old pasture, one-quarter to 

 be bone, or some other strong manure ; one-eighth 

 oyster shells, or Time and brick rubbish ; one-eighth 

 rotten manure; these articles thrown together in a 

 heap, and so to remain until decomposed and amalga- 

 mated, when they should be j)laced in the border and 

 thrown loosely togetlier. My borders having the 

 most slaughter-house manure, or whole bones of ani- 

 mals in their composition still continue, as they ever 

 have done, to produce the best fruit and the largest 

 crops. 



