3 ^ 
ON THE MANAGEMENT 
After having fpecified various kinds of manures that are 
known to be friendly to the Vine, it may not be improper to 
mention fome others that feem to be hurtful and inimical to 
it Soot, wood-aflies, pigeon and hen’s dung, would all, I 
think, be too hot for the root of the Vine. Thefe, if you 
pleafe to conlider, are manures that come immediately into 
adlion j and, therefore, are more properly calculated for top- 
dreffing, and to enliven the furface, than to be buried at the 
roots in the ground below. Pond-mud and moor-earth 
would probably, on the contrary, be too cold for that purpofe; 
and the latter, perliaps, be liable to canker the roots of the 
Vine ; and therefore, on that account, had better be omitted. 
Thefe auxiliaries would, doubtlefs, be very proper for gardens, 
planted on a fandy foil, and mixed, as we will fuppofe, with 
the common foil of the quarters that produce crops of vegeta- 
bles for culinary ufe. Stable-yard dung would be too fpiri- 
tuous, hot, and fiery, were it to be introduced into the com- 
poft, before its heat was thoroughly abated ; and, I fear, it 
would 
** “ And here the nature of the land fhould be maturely confidered, for we fhould 
endeavour, by all means, to detedf, as far as we are able, the quality predominant, 
both of the earth we fhould improve, and the compoft we apply, and not throw 
them promifcuoufly upon every thing, without confidering of what temper and con- 
ftitution they be, for grounds are as Jiice as our bodies, and as obnoxious to infir- 
mities upon every defect and excefs ; and, therefore. It requires fkill and no little 
ftudy to be able rightly to marfhal this 7nateria medica (as I may call it) of com- 
pofts, the virtue of which does, fometimes, lie very hidden.” 
Evelyn s Terra^ p. 54. 
