214 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



year to apply a top-dressing. After the young fruit is 

 set, it is a great assistance to the vine if some extra sup- 

 ply of food can be given in the stoning and " swelling- 

 off" of the berries. It is like a friendly lift over a hard 

 place. The vine has then partially ceased its efforts to 

 make wood, and the fertilizing matter seems to be 

 specially appropriated for the fruit. I think a little 

 bone-dust, or a slight sprinkling of guano, in June, will 

 have twice the effect upon the fruit that the same 

 amount would have if applied in November. On the 

 other hand, ashes, which serve the double purpose of 

 developing the soil and building up the vine, should 

 be applied a considerable time before the results are 

 expected. Certainly it is not true economy to enrich 

 land while the roots are inactive. We think it in- 

 jurious to water a pot-plant with liquid manure when 

 it is at rest. Moreover, there is waste in top-dress- 

 ing a vineyard in the fall ; a portion of the manure being 

 volatile, and passing off in the air, while some of the sol- 

 vent portion will pass off by. filtration. Yet the amount 

 of loss in either case is not so great as many suppose. 

 The ground is generally frozen, and oftentimes covered 

 with snow. These conditions not only prevent much 



