62 THE CULTUEE OF THE GRAPE. 



cal customs. What I meant by the substance, (and 

 which I have used in my grape borders, and recommend 

 as a substitute for the carcasses of animals, or bones,) 

 consists mainly of the intestines, with the manures which 

 were in the animals at the time they were killed, all the 

 heads, hoiTis, and feet of sheep, and a good share of 

 bones, and other refuse of other animals. The half of 

 the bulk and weight of the manures has been the heads, 

 the lower half of the legs, and other bones, with some 

 flesh, and skin, and hair, etc., upon a large part of them. 

 Now all these articles are very powerful manures, and 

 very lasting in their nature, and should not be placed in 

 the border until decomposed in some measure, or, which 

 is better, put at the bottom of the border, where the 

 roots of the vine will find them the second or third year. 

 A large part of the fleshy matter, in its decomposition, 

 turns to a liqiiid, and the soil near by imbibes this, and 

 is enriched thereby. These substances, when in this 

 state of decomposition, if they come in contact with the 

 roots of the vine, will instantly destroy the part touched, 

 and this is why I place it at the bottom of the border, to 

 be there for the future use of the vine, and out of the 

 way of doing mischief If this material is to be used as 

 a top dressing, it should remain in the compost heap till 

 it is entirely decomposed. I consider it, when placed as 

 directed, at the bottom of the border, a most valuable 

 material for the nourishment of the grape vine ; but, if 

 whole bones of animals can be obtained in suflicient 

 quantities, I give them the preference ; not that they are 

 more valuable, but because th« slaughter-house manure 



