Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1853-08-17
Garnrers department
VTNE R0RDERS.


relative to the use of slaughter house ma
nures, carcasses Of animals, &C., rs mate.
rial in the composition of vine borders. The
practice has been violently assailed, and we
have been assured by high authorities that
not only should ne thus destroy the roots of
our vines, but that the presence Of such
matter would render the soil a sodden mass
which they never could penetrate or thrive
in. Much Of the difference Of opinion on
the subject las usual in controversies) has
been caused by misunderstanding. The
best authorities have seen in favor Of the
practice, do not recommend direct applica-
ton of such material to the roots of grow
ing vine, but only that it should he placed
where the roots should find it when it was
properly decomposed, fit for their use. 10
this, the others reply that the roots have no
power Of selection hut must Of necessity go
ahead, and when they run foul OF this stuff
it will certainly kill them. 4 little reflection
will upset this theory. We know that roots
grow by sending out fbres, which at first are
exceedingly fine but increase in size by the
nnurishment they meet with In their course.
If one of these fbres strikes rich vein of
wholesome food it will grow fast, and as it
grows will send out more ibres, and finally
become large, strong root, carrying nou-
rishment to the vine. If, on the contrary,
it meets with unwholesnme matter, it cannot
grow and it may be killed; but the death Of
hundred oi these exceedingly minute ex-
tremties would not affect the vine, with
thousands Of them on every root. 1t is not
true, therefore, that a root has no power Of
selection, for these fbrcs are in fact fcclcrS
which are ready to seize upon anything val
liable, or to stop short if they meet with in
furious matter. Now, if the carcass of an
animal were put into vine border, and a
large root OF a vine spread out directly upon
it, there is no doubt the root would he de-
stroyed and, perhaps, the vine killed. The
manure in both cases would he too strong
for it !; but no proof can thence be drawn
that either of them is not good manure for
vines if properly used. The case seems so
simple that have wondered that so much
difference Of opinion could have arisen.
But as experience is the best teacher,
wish to give you an account Of what have
seen to-day, bearing upon the question. My
vine border was prepared nine years ago.
and was composed Of old sod, shoe makers
chips, oyster.shells, aud all the bones and
c.rcusses could get hold ot. This was
done in the fall, and the vines lanted the
following spring. As all the fresh animal
matter was buried at least eig ghteen inches
deep, and the vines were small When plant
ed, | had no fear ofits not being thoroughly
decomposed before they would find it. At
all events have had no reason to imagine,
from their appearance or produce up to this
time, that they have been troubled with ndi.
gestiou or dyspepsia. The next year finding
a horse which had to be killed, | had him
brought to my vine border, where he was
shot and fell into the grave which was pre-.
viously prepared for him. This was certain.
ly complying with HoARE's directions,-that
the bones for vine border, should be put
in cas- whole and fresh as possible" The
SPOT where he was buried was on the ex-
treme outer edge of the border, twelve feet
from the front of the house, and in order to
put him deep enough to avoid all danger
from effluvia, had to dig considerably
deeper into the subsoil than the border was
originally made. In making this pit found
no roots and therefore felt no fear otinjuring
the vines, having firm faith that they would
keep clear of him till he was ready for them.
have for several days past been engaged
in eularging my border, adding six feet in
width and making it considerably deeper
than the portion which was first made. dig.
ging in towards the house till | came to
roots. This morning | came to the remains
of the horse above mentioned, and was first
notified of it by coming upon mass Of rich
mold in the midst OF the yellow subsoil,
deeper down than the other border, and filled
with fibrous roots. | Immediately changed
my spade for trowel, and began careful
examination. All the earth where the body
had lain was like a very rich garden mold
much more mellou and triable than the yellow
soil around it--and all this mold was filled
with vine roots, large aud small, in the
healthiest possible condition, while every
bone was envelored with a perfect network
of gauze-like fbres. continued my exam.
nation further, perhaps, than was proper for
the health of the vine, because thought it
important as evidence, and the result was
such as to leave no doubt in my mind that
decomposed animal matter was valuable
manure for vines, and that there need be no
fear Of rendering the border" a sodden mass
Of unclious master" by using it freely and
and as fresh as possible.-Horticultulist.
To PRESERVE MILK FROM SoUR1SG.-
A correspondent of the Chic Farmer gives
the following plan:
Agreeable to your request will give
you an account of our experience in the
Diary business, with regard to preserving
milk from, becoming sour. We have kept
from fifty to hundred and fifty cows for
several years, and have miked seventy.two
the past season. We strain the milk in
tin vat set in wooden one, into which we
pump cold water for the purpose of cooling
it. Thus it is kept sweet until morning,