254 THE CULTURE OF THE GEAPE. 



weather. It is not so changed but that it may be still 

 more so, and it is yet capable of fermenting and heating. 

 It is not unusual to find parts of, and even whole, birds, 

 more or less decomposed in it. 



It is no objection to the use of any substance, as a ma- 

 nure, that there is a certain time or stage in its decom- 

 position when it is offensive. It is so with any substance ; 

 and if you choose first to bring the material into this 

 state and then to apply it, it is your own.fault. Even leaves 

 and the young shoots of the vines, if allowed to ferment 

 and become putrid in a tank, are as much so as any ma- 

 nure ; and when the liquid from these is applied to the 

 roots of the plant on the inside of the house, there is 

 nothing more offensive, or that retains the odor so long. 

 But this is no evidence that the liquid is injurious, or 

 any reason why it should not be used, but it is a, hint to 

 the cultivator to apply it before it becomes thus offensive. 



Mr. Hovey uses, in his border, the richest soil or loam, 

 and adds stable manure, ground bones, and guano, with 

 liquid applications in seasons of drought, in summer, 

 after mulching the border. 



I use a good loam, with a large supply of whole bones 

 and other manures, but also a good portion of shells and 

 old bricks and mortar, and do not apply liquid or liquid 

 manures to vines thus situated. Thus, it appears that, if 

 the one has a rich border, the other does not differ mate- 

 rially from it. 



To make this discussion of any benefit to the practical 

 gardener, it is necessary that he should read the whole 

 matter and hear both sides, and judge for himself what 

 is best for this purpose. I have quoted all the articles 



