172 THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



neither more nor less than night-soil dried and reduced 

 to powder. 



" Pondrette, we understand, was first recommended 

 by the celebrated Parmentier, about thirty years ago, 

 (1790,) as a top dressing for various field crops. 



" Frequently, it is formed into a compost with the 

 weeds and refuse of the garden, and some marly loam, 

 or light mould ; the poudrette being spread on the com- 

 post bed, in the proportion of half an inch to six inches 

 of weeds and earth. Such compost is considered as well 

 adapted for stimulating the roots of fruit trees, especially 

 cherries, figs, and vines. 



" The ofiensive smell is, to a considerable degree, re- 

 moved by the addition of quicklime." — Horticultural 

 Tour., Edinburgh, 1823. 



From Abercrombie's Practical Gardener. London, 

 1823. 



'• Although vines will succeed as plants in any com- 

 mon garden earth, it is advisable to allot thera a dryish, 

 warm, mellow, unexhausted soil, rich in good loam, or 

 improved with suitable manure, to the depth of three or 

 four feet. A dry bottom is requisite to keep the fruit 

 from degenerating in flavor." 



" Once a week, drainings of the dunghill may be 

 mixed with water, and applied to the roots when the 

 grapes are swelling," says Abercrombic. And again : 

 " The vine out of doors would not so often make poor 

 returns in fruit, were the soil kept warm and rich by an 

 annual dressing when the plant is at rest. Among the , 

 manures found of great avail in supporting or recovering 

 the fertility of vines, may be reckoned rabbit's dung, duck's 



