208 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



taining potassa and greasy matter, or old leather or hora- 

 shavings, any thing that approaches the nature of ashes 

 or bones, will be valuable. Watering with liquid manure 

 is recommended by some; and this is a great stimulant 

 to the vine at the time of stoning and swelling-off of the 

 fruit : but it must be done judiciously, that the wash be 

 not so strong as to injure the roots. Care also should 

 be taken that the soil does not become wet and sodden. 

 We have instances where the vine feeds near the sink- 

 spout and around the cesspool. The roots of the great 

 Hampton - Court Vine are said to feed upon London 

 sewerage. Yet these roots will be found not to have 

 passed a certain limit. Roots cannot remtiin in a healthy 

 condition in ground that is continually saturated with 

 moisture. 



Jt may not be out of place in this connection to con- 

 sider the fertilizing effect of rain. It is well ascertained 

 that rain contains a considerable quantity of nitrogen, 

 ammonia, chlorine, lime, and magnesia. An analysis of a 

 cubic metre of water by M. Barral is given in Lindley's 

 " Theory of Horticulture," upon which he bases the fol- 

 lowing estimate : 



" The average depth of rain which falls in the neigh- 

 borhood of London is well ascertained to be about twenty- 



