292 WATERING VINEYARDS. 



the purpose, to mingle at least with less durable manures. 

 Blood forms a very powerful manure, and should not be ap- 

 plied too close to the body of the vine, as its influence is so 

 quickly communicated to the fruit. 



Dr. J. W. Smith, of Lockport, in this state, remarks, that 

 he has found coal dust, cinders, and scales of iron, or black 

 oxide of iron from the blacksmith's forge, when properly mixed 

 with fine garden mould, to be incomparably the best manure 

 for the vine, and to surpass his most sanguine expectations ; 

 he was led to make the experiment from the well known fact, 

 that vines thrive best in volcanic districts. 



Where the plants languish or fail to flourish, the causes 

 should be particularly examined into, and where necessary, 

 some soil of a different nature be added ; if the ground be too 

 light and thin, some strong rich mould should be dug in around 

 them ; but if on the contrary, it is heavy, light or sandy earth 

 should be mixed with it ; this operation should take place in 

 autumn. 



In many cases where vines become sickly, and their leaves 

 turn yellow, and put on the appearance of decay, the follow- 

 ing method of manuring them may be beneficial by affording 

 prompt relief; fill some casks or tubs half full of fresh cow 

 droppings, and the remainder part with water, and after it 

 has stood thus for two or three days, pour off the water and 

 sprinkle it over the leaves, and around the roots of the plants. 

 I think this much superior to summer manuring, by digging 

 in around the roots of the vines, a course that is particularly 

 objectionable, as it is apt to disturb the young roots at the 

 principal period of their growth. 



Watering vineyards. 



Pallas states, that they generally water their vineyards in 

 the Crimea, and it is sometimes practised in the environs of 

 Milan, and Olivier remarks, that this course is much in prac- 

 tice in Persia. But its use is repelled by the best vignerons 

 of France, &c. from the great injuries which arise from it ; 

 for where the vines are watered the juice of the grape becomes 



