188 THE CULTDEE OF THE GRAPE. 



accordingly, the young shoots and leaves were cut into 

 pieces and dug into the earth. The result of this appli- 

 cation was a. fine yield of fruit. I do not question the 

 correctness of this story : it is not improbable. But, in 

 my estimation, it is proof of the correctness of some of 

 my statements regarding manures, and is evidence of 

 the importance of rich soil, and, at the same time, is 

 admitting the fact of the practice of manuring vine- 

 yards, for it was the deficiency of the manure which 

 caused this vineyard to give fruit in a less quantity, 

 when it had been accustomed to this annual stimulant. 

 According to the story, the vines, at last, almost ceased 

 to beai fruit; as this occurred the year previous to the 

 manuring the land with the trimmings of the grape, it 

 is not unreasonable to suppose that, by this cessation, the 

 plants were strengthened, and enabled, the coming spring, 

 to show a good crop ; and, having been kept without 

 any stimulant the year previous, and but little, if any, the 

 year before that, this application, at midsummer, just at 

 the moment when the juices being washed to the roots 

 by the rains at this most suitable time, would have the 

 most beneficial effect. It is, unquestionably, evidence of 

 the value of the trimmings of the vine, but. also, at the 

 same time, of the value of manures. 



If I were about to locate a vineyard, a good loam 

 should be sought ; one that is readily worked, and made 

 permeable to the effects of sun and air. If it were of a 

 clayey nature, the incorporating of a good proportion of 

 shells, old lime rubbish and bricks, bones, and charcoal 

 screenings would improve it, using all, or only part of 

 the substances, as they are more or less difficult to ob- 



