THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. IBS' 



dung slionld be avoided, if possible ;* cow dnng is cool- 

 er and more nearly of a vegetable nature ; this should 

 be mixed with as much virgin earth from pastures and 

 meadows as can be procured, and laid in small heaps in 

 the intervals between the rows. It may be left a little 

 while, if it has any rank smell, and then forked in round 

 the roots ; the more it is decomposed the better. Many 

 a vineyard has lost its reputation after having been 

 abundantly manured. The Johannisbergh was much re- 

 duced in value, aftei having been dunged, while in the 

 possession of General Kellerman. After a certain time, 

 which differs in different situations, the vine becomes less 

 productive from the exhaustion of the soil, as is the case 

 when the same crops are repeatedly sown in the same 

 ground ; this depends on the depth of the soil. All pe- 

 rennial plants shoot out their roots farther and farther 

 every year in search of fresh earth, and it is by this 

 means that trees flourish for a long time on the same 

 spot ; but if the roots are prevented from spreading, or 

 the plants being too crowded, their roots interfere, a di- 

 minution of vigor is the consequence. So it is with the 

 vine. In this case, the remedy is the same as for land 

 bearing corn. A rest is necessary, together with the ad- 

 dition of such maifiire as shall restore the lost fertility." 

 — Penny Cyclopmdia. 



The superior quality of wines from celebrated vine- 

 yards, where, it is said, no manure is ever used, is, in 

 some measure, owing to the limiting the amount of fruit 



* If the soil is stiff, horse dung is more suitable than cow, and, when old 

 and decayed, is no more heating. 



