MANURING. 289 



the desired effect, but as its operation is not very durable, the 

 practice should be renewed every second or third year. 



Columella mentions that the ancients used a species of lupin 

 for this object, and on the luxuriant hills of Damazan, in- the 

 department of Lot and Garonne, the same practice is pur- 

 sued. The lupin is in flower at the period of tillage, and is 

 then turned under, thereby forming a strong and valuable 

 manure with but little expense. It is found particularly ad- 

 vantageous to light sandy soils, and I would recommend its 

 more general use. 



There are also many other annual plants which might be 

 converted to manuring the soil by this mode. In the depart- 

 ment of the Rhone, they manure their vineyards by sowing 

 winter vetches in October, and turning them under ground 

 towards the middle of May, and this practice is approved by 

 both theory and use. Another plant very suitable to this kind 

 of culture is the faba sativa, or Egyptiari bean, of which we 

 have many varieties under the title of horse bean, Windsor, 

 long pod, &c. these can be planted annually in the inter- 

 vening spaces, and after gathering the first beans, the remainder 

 with the plants can be dug under in June. 



In some vineyards they collect bushes of heath, furze, and 

 briars, and also the prunings of trees, and bury them near the 

 roots of the vines during summer, in order to ameliorate ihe 

 soil, and the effect is said to be beneficial for several years* 



The celebrated Olivier de Serres says that the third and last 

 working of vineyards which is performed after the vintage, is 

 absolutely necessary to the progress of the vine, and to the 

 increase of its produce. This is usually done in autumn ; and 

 if the vigneron does not wish to delay it until the leaves have 

 fallen, he can as soon as the grapes are gathered, commence 

 it by having women and children to go a-head of the work- 

 men to pull off the leaves from the vines, and throw them on 

 the ground, which are dug in by the labourers to manure the 

 soil. This work can be delayed until after the leaves have 

 fallen, when dry however they are far less enriching to the 

 soil than when green ; but for my own part I am averse to all 

 defoliations of the vine except by the course of nature. 



37 



