48 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
important, the most satisfactory for this climate being the 
curvilinear type. In size it should not exceed thirty feet in 
width, the length being governed by the number of vines re- 
quired. The house should run north and south so as to obtain 
all possible light for ripening the fruit. Complete ventila- 
tion is essential, combined with perfect drainage. 
CULTIVATION. 
The ‘‘outside border’’ planting as practiced in England 
has produced excellent crops but this system is not applicable 
to St. Louis because of the hard freezes which may occur. In 
this climate the vines should be planted inside the house. 
However, openings in the foundation below the frost line 
which will permit the stronger-growing roots to ramify to 
the exterior is sometimes advantageous. This double rooting 
area is said to prolong the vigor of the plant. The outside 
border apparently is more suitable for the vine roots, the 
strongest roots not infrequently being found on the exterior, 
while the roots on the inside show signs of decay during the 
resting period. Unless there is perfect drainage in the house, 
as upon elevated ground, four-inch drain pipe should be in- 
stalled about four feet below grade. These should be com- 
bined with broken bricks or additional drain-pipe in order 
to prevent, as far as possible, the clogging of the drain by 
roots. 
Grape vines do not require any particular soil mixture, 
but will adapt themselves to most soils. A good rose soil is 
quite satisfactory. Experts give preference to sod soil from 
pasture land. When preparing the soil, as much fibrous ma- 
terial should be incorporated as possible, cutting the sod in 
convenient size for handling and laying the grass side down. 
The width of the bed should be between six and eight feet. 
The cultural directions for grapes vary more than for any 
other fruit and date back for a hundred years or more. 
Where a succession of fruit is required, the grapery should 
be divided by glass partitions into sections and planted with 
early, mid-season, and late varieties. The early crop should 
be started in December, the mid-season the first week in Feb- 
ruary, and the late vines in April, if weather will permit. 
When starting the vines the temperature should be gradually 
