CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 47 



following day, commence at one end of the pit, and build 

 up the bed in tiers of about a foot in width, shaking out 

 all clods in the manure, and spanking the bed very firmly 

 together with the back of the fork during the process of 

 building. The bed should be well compacted, of uniform 

 density; and hence it should never receive the impression 

 of a foot. If the manure is free from straw or other lit- 

 ter, a saving of manure is effected by using from one-third 

 to one-half the bulk of oak or other firm leaves. To make 

 the bed sufficiently permanent, it should have a depth of 

 three feet ; the surface-earth which was thrown out being 

 drawn up at the sides to a level with the surface of the 

 bed. Cover the surface of the bed with fine, light soil, to 

 the depth of four inches, and then apply the frame, and 

 bank it with leaves or other material which will best pro- 

 tect the bed. After the application of the sashes, another 

 week will be consumed in drawing up the heat, and allow- 

 ing the excess of moisture to pass off. In the latitude of 

 Boston, if work upon the manure is commenced about the 

 middle of March, the beds will be found to be in good 

 condition for receiving the cuttings by April 1 ; which 

 is quite early enough for eyes prepared in the previous 

 winter, as before described. 



These should now be taken from the boxes in the eel- 



