108 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



plant, and as assisting in the decomposition of organic 

 matter and in destroying insects. Potash, in some form, 

 is essential to the grape ; yet this may better be supplied 

 as a surface-dressing during the after-growth, when, as 

 we shall see, it is most needed in producing fruit. 



The border must be trenched, mixing all the materials, 

 simply loosening the sub-soil, and letting it remain at the 

 bottom. If, however, the character of the sub-soil should 

 be judged suitable to have a good mechanical effect upon 

 the surface-soil, or if it contain any elements which are 

 desirable on the surface, it should be brought up, and 

 mixed to a greater or less extent. The border will be 

 two feet deep when finished, deep enough and rich enough 

 for the feeblest variety; too much so for rampant kinds. 



Some authors recommend the grossest arid richest ma- 

 terials for the border, such as slaughter-house offal, whole 

 carcasses of horses and cattle, and the like. This is with 

 the object of giving permanence to the border, it being 

 supposed that these remain a store of fertilizing wealth 

 for many years ; the large bones becoming fit for use as 

 the fleshy matter is exhausted. Provided such gross ma- 

 terial is buried to such a depth that the young roots do 

 not come in contact with it in its putrid state, it may do 

 no present injury ; but it will ultimately draw the roots 



