WATERING THE VINE. 



161 



a warmth to the roots of the Vine daring the 

 winter, and thereby prove serviceable in that 

 respect also. However that may be, from the un- 

 common vigour of the Vines at this place, I have 

 been led into a belief of the utility of this prac- 

 tice. But let me at the same time observe, that I 

 have always applied this powerful manure (if I may 

 so call it) with great caution. I have found the 

 beginning of winter the most proper time for 

 using this kind of manure ; and then 1 only ven- 

 ture to give two or three plentiful waterings, fear- 

 ing that if this were to be applied either in the 

 spring or the summer, or even in too great quan- 

 tities, it might tend, from its great power, to cause 

 the leaves of the Vine to change from a green to 

 a yellow hue. I offer this, however, only as a 

 probable speculation ; for I do not certainly know 

 that it would produce that effect, though used in 

 summer. It seems, however, most reasonable to 

 suppose, that it should be applied when the roots 

 of the Vine are in a state of inaction ; as then a 

 winter's rain and frost may, probably, contribute 

 to qualify it, and to incorporate it with the soil. 



M 



