THE CXrLTUKE OF THE GRAPE. 189 



taiu. If it is intended to form a vineyard on a gravelly 

 hill, or other spot with such soil, I would use, of these, 

 bones and charcoal, and as much loam from an old pas- 

 ture, which had been enriched for years by the droppings 

 of sheep and cattle, as could be obtained. If none of 

 the articles above named, for the purpose of keeping the 

 earth loose, can be had, other, the best substitute, must 

 be used ; vegetable mould, leaves, straw, shavings, and 

 chips of wood, &c., are suitable. 



With regard to manures for enriching the land, I 

 would have a compost heap prepared, into which should 

 be incorporated, with reference to the ease of obtaining 

 them, any and every article of animal or vegetable mat- 

 ter capable of decomposition. In applying them to the 

 land, the condition of the soil must be taken into con- 

 sideration, giving more or less according to its richness, 

 or the reverse. The purpose for which the grapes are to 

 be grown must be considered ; if for dessert more nour- 

 ishment will be required ; if for wine, a less quantity 

 will answer. 



After a vineyard has become established, (which will 

 be in five years, according to Chaptal,) if manures are 

 scarce, they may be more economically used by spread- 

 ing and digging them in, when new ; but it is necessary 

 to be cautious in applying new and raw manures to all 

 fruit-bearing plants ; inexperienced persons should never 

 apply any but manures from the compost heap, or that 

 have been meliorated by age. If guano is to be used, it 

 is safer to do so by forming a mixture with this and ve- 

 getable mould, or loam. As a liquid manure, it is ser- 

 viceable, using four pounds, at most, to a barrel of water. 



