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The sheets of cqj)pct, cut to sizes fitting tlie vessels that are used, 

 are covered with the ruurk, which is distributed layer by layer be- 

 tween every sheet of copper. Over the whole is poured some low or 

 Eoured wine, or acid refuse from the still. As soon as the copper 

 is sufficiently oxydized, it is rasped and put up in skins for exportation 

 and trade. 



Vinegar. — By a last and very strong pressure, a liquid is extracted 

 from the murk which is a superior vinegar. To obtain it, the murk is 

 first well aired and exposed until it sours. 



Fodder of Grape Husks. — In general the grape husks are a fine 

 nourishment for all herbivorous animals. Given dry, loose and min- 

 gled with other substances, the murk is a favorite food of cows, sheep 

 and fowls ; the latter, while they feed on it, lay frequently. It is given 

 fresh in some places to cows and mules, but improperly ; because, 

 when eaten in a moist state it ghortens the lives of those animals ; they 

 IsecomTe inebriated and heated ; the milk of the former sours quickly, 

 and the latter grow weak and feeble. 



Manure. — The murk makes a fine sort of manure, and does not, like 

 all other manures, injure the quality of the wine. It is composted with pi- 

 geon dung by the following measures. Daily afler the vintage large bask- 

 et-foils are scattered around the pigeon-house ; the stones are greedily 

 eaten by the birds, and they grow fat and multiply fast on this food. 

 At the end of two months, it is raised, and transported to the hog- 

 stye, and laid in a trench that runs the length of the pen and into which 

 the sluices from the pen will drain; this trench is to be prepared for the 

 murk, and coated at the bottom with a thick layer of soil from the stye. 

 Into this trench also is collected the dung of geese, ducks and other 

 fowls upon the farm. As the litter of hogs is of a cold and fat nature, 

 and the dung of pigeons dry and heating, there results from these and 

 the murk, a compost exactly suited for the vine. It is carried to the 

 tlie vineyard in the month of February, if the weather is fine ; day- 

 laborers are employed to loosen and turn up a little of the earth around 

 eaeh stock ; and tvomen or children carrying baskets of this manure, 

 throw in a little around each stock, and cover it over lightly with the 

 earth. The next rains cause the vegetable salts of this compost to 

 penetrate down to the roots ; and the same season the crop bears witness 

 to the good effects of this dressing. 



Grape-sced oil. — Some make a business of wasliing out the grape- 

 seeds from the murk with water, and drying the seeds, which, on grind- 

 ing, yield an oil supejior to nut-oil, and which is used in cookiiig, in 

 fanning, and for lamps. This oil, on burning, emits a flame as brilliant 

 as olive oil. and wl'th scarcely any perceptible smoke or sme!!. 



