THE GRAPE. 



125 



with old mortar, rubbish, or anything that will drain 

 off the water ; as the grape always thrives best on 

 dry bottoms. When the border is thus prepared, it 

 will require to be filled with compost in the month 

 of September. 



Preparing the Compost. — The compost, which 

 I have mostly found to answer the best purpose for 

 the vinery, is a mellow loam, well incorporated with 

 one third part of rotten manure, or, in order to have 

 a border prepared in a superior manner, the top sod 

 of a rich, loamy pasture may be taken off six inches 

 deep, and thrown into a heap with one third rotten 

 manure ; and if a portion of manure from a slaugh- 

 ter house is added, it will answer a good purpose. 



The compost may be thrown into the pit or bor- 

 der, where it may lay a month or two to get into a 

 state of fermentation, when it should be turned and 

 well mixed as a manure heap. This may be done 

 two or three times in order to incorporate it well to- 

 gether. I would also recommend about 50 lbs. of 

 sulphur to be mixed w 7 ith the compost, the last time 

 of turning, which will destroy many insects detri- 

 mental to the vine, and act as a stimulant to it. 



Planting the Vines. — In planting the vinery ev- 

 ery precaution should be taken to procure select 

 kinds of grapes of respectable nursery-men, who 

 can be relied on as to correctness. I have often 

 seen grape-houses furnished with ordinary sorts of 

 grapes, ow 7 ing to injudicious selections, which have 

 been replanted at a great expense, and the loss of 

 two or three year's growth, w T hich is considerable in 

 such cases. The vines for planting should be at 

 least tw r o years old, and if raised from the eye the 



