INFLUENCE OF MANURE. 131 



which decompose slowly, best suit a vegetation which increases 

 with more regularity. 



190. These facts have an important influence on the opera- 

 tions of the cultivator ; whether they be on the large scale of 

 the Farmer, or the small one of the Gardener. No manure is 

 more serviceable in yielding carbonic acid, than that which con- 

 sists of decaying vegetable matter ; and this is much more abund- 

 ant than is commonly imagined. A small garden, attached to a 

 dwelling-house, may be furnished with an ample supply of rich 

 manure, by throwing into a pit all the refuse vegetable matter of 

 the kitchen, and that supplied by the garden itself, in the form 

 of weeds, dead leaves, prunings of fruit trees, &c. ; these should 

 be lightly covered with earth, and kept slightly moist, and fre- 

 quently exposed to the air by being turned over with the spade.* 

 And in a farm, there will seldom be any deficiency of similar 

 materials, if none are wasted. "Weeds, for example, should not 

 be burned, unless they are in seed ; for they may be made to 

 afford a valuable supply of nutriment, instead of withdrawing it. 

 A manure of this kind is to many plants more serviceable, than 

 that furnished by animals. Some remarkable examples are on 

 record, of the influence of it upon the growth of vines ; which 

 may be here advantageously introduced, as interesting illustra- 

 tions of the foregoing principles. 



191. " Nothing more," says a vine-grower on the banks of 

 the Rhine, " is necessary for the manure of a vineyard, than the 

 branches which are cut from the vines themselves. My vineyard 

 lias been manured in this way for eight years, without receiving 

 any other kind of manure ; and yet more beautiful and richly- 

 laden vines could scarcely be pointed out. I formerly followed 

 the method usually practised in this district ; and was obliged 

 in consequence to purchase manure to a large amount. TJiis is 

 now entirely saved, and my land is in excellent condition. 

 When I see the fatiguing labour used in the manuring of vine- 

 yards horses and men toiling up the mountains with unneces- 

 sary materials, I feel inclined to say to all, 'Come to my 



* Such a collection, however, should not be formed in the neighbourhood of a 

 dwelling-house; as the emanations from it are injurious to health. 



K 2 



