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1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 249 



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(^ always be, manured — the manure restores those substances to the soil 

 ,° which previous crops extracted from it. From the tillage which the 

 land undergoes, the thorough pulverization, the constant working of 

 it during the after culture of the crops, immense advantages result. — 

 The principle manures employed in the raising of green crops, are 

 farm-yard manure, bones and guano. Agriculturists prefer using one 

 or other of these conjointly, rather tha depend upon the use of one 

 alone. Thus 15 tons of good farm-yard manure, and 3 cwt. of 

 Peruvian guano is a fair application for a statute acre — or 6 bushels of 

 dissolved bones and 3 cwt. of guano. The minute state of division of 

 the bones and guano, enables the young plant to feed with facility, 

 and consequently progress rapidly, and overcome those impediments 

 to its infant development. For the plant is just like the young ani- 

 mal, if either be curtailed of the necessaries of life when young, the 

 result will be a stunted development. Warm manures are good for 

 all descriptions of green crops. How carefully, therefore, we should 

 attend to the manufacture of manure, not to allow a particle of it to 

 run to waste ; for if we overlook the draining of our cattle sheds, 

 stables, and manure heaps, we have no great right to make any com- 

 plaints as to the unremunerative character of our crops. 



I shall continue this subject in my next — give a succinct account of 

 the preparation of the soil, for the commonly grown green crops — 

 their manner of sowing, cultivating, &c. After which I promise you 

 a few letters on " manure." 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS, 



FOR DECEMBER. 



Written by Practical Gardeners, for the Philadelphia Florist. 



HARDY FRUIT. 

 Grape Vine Borders. — If the planting of grapes is contemplated 

 the present season is suitable for the preparation of the border, and 

 we will briefly refer to a few considerations necessary to be kept in 

 view. There are so many conflicting opinions and advices, promul- 

 gated upon this subject, that it is difficult for a beginner to know 

 where to begin, or where to end. We do not by any means expect 

 to put an end to all further "cavilings" on th s subject ; but every one 

 admits that thorough drainage is an indispensable preliminary to the 

 cultivation of all exotics, and the grape more especially delights in 

 warmth at the roots, a condition it cannot enjoy without a proper 

 outlet for superfluous water. In gravelly, or sandy sub-soils perhaps, 

 no artificial preparation is requisite, although even in these cases 6 or 

 8 inches of drainage will be of advantage. In retentive clayey sub- 

 soils, the bottom of the border should have sufficient slope to carry 

 the water freely off into a drain embracing the whole extent to be oc- 

 cupied by the roots, a depth of 12 or 14 inches of drainage should 

 ^be laid on the bottom ; this may consist of brickbats, oyster shells, G\ 



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