DISEASES, INSECTS, AND FROSTS. 17 



majority, however, prefer cutting oflF the surface roots for the 

 first three or four years. 



About every third year, put in manure, by opening a trench 

 the width of a spade, and four or five inches deep. Above 

 and near each row, throw in two or three inches of well- 

 rotted manure, and cover up with the earth. 



Another plan adopted, is to run a furrow with the plow, 

 put in manure, and cover over, either with the plow or hoe. 



Others, again, scatter manure over the surface, and dig- 

 it in. 



An intelligent cultivator, J. A. Corneau, remarks : *' High 

 manuring is generally admitted to be injurious to the vinous 

 quality of the Grape ; or, in other words, it accelerates a 

 larger growth of wood, and a more attractive looking fruit, 

 while the more essential qualities of the grape for Wine- 

 making, are very much deteriorated. No substance should 

 ever be used which has a tendency to ferment, or which, in 

 undergoing a chemical change in the soil, would form an acid 

 or a salt of a highly stimulating nature. Vegetable manures, 

 bones, &c., may be used to advantage." Well rotted sta- 

 ble yard manure has been used moderately by the writer, with 

 good effects to the plants and the fruit, and without any per- 

 ceptive injury to the "vinous quality of the grape." 



Dr. L. Rehfuss, President of the "Wine Growers' Asso- 

 ciation," strongly recommends a light dressing of wood 

 ashes to be dug in with the spring hoeing, to supply to the 

 earth the alkalies taken up by the Grape, and to neutralize 

 acidity in the soil, and consequently in the Wine. 



DISEASES, INSECTS, AND FROSTS. 



The "rot," as it is termed, is the great evil, especially m 

 cultivating the Catawba. 



This takes place usually in the latter end of June or early 



in July, Dr. Warder says, " about the period of stoning," 



r " hardenins: of the seed," after continued lieavy rains, and 



