1869.] FRUIT-CULTURE. 73 



amongst tlie first to recommend the aerating of Vine-borders from 

 beneath. We at the time considered it theoretically right to do so in 

 circumstances such as indicated, and since then we have had ample proof 

 of its practical value. It is most readily effected by laying a number 

 of large drain-tiles all over the surface of the bottom of the border, 

 connecting them by means of upright pipes, say 4 inches in diameter, 

 with the external air at the extremity of the border, and with the 

 atmosphere of the Vinery, by means of similar pipes, rising a few 

 inches above the surface of the inside Vine-border when finished. 

 The openings of the pipes inside the Vinery being in a higher temper- 

 ature than those outside, a constant current of air will pass through 

 the whole pipes under the border, from the external to the internal 

 atmosphere of the Vinery, aerating the soil from beneath, — the effect 

 of such aeration being, that the constant supply of oxygen from the 

 fresh air will decompose the carbonaceous matter in the soil, convert 

 it into carbonic acid gas, which, combined with water as its vehicle, 

 enters into the roots of the Vines, ascends into their leaves, where, 

 under the influence of light, it is decomposed in its turn, the oxygen 

 liberated into the air, and the carbon fixed in the tissues of the plant. 

 In support of this theory we may state, that having repeatedly examined 

 the state of the roots in borders formed on the principle in question, 

 we have found the interstices amongst the pipes, and even in them, a 

 complete mass of fine healthy fibrous feeding roots. 



It may be objected that in very dry weather a current of dry air would 

 injure the roots. We do not think so, if tbe border is kept properly 

 watered ; but during such weather the remedy is an easy one — plug 

 the mouths of the pipes that come to the surface to supply air to the 

 pipes underneath. 



Having laid down the pipes to effect what we have just described, 

 fill in around and over them with loose stones or brickbats ; then lay 

 a course of turf, with the grass side down, and on this wheel in the 

 soil of the border, but do not wheel over the made-up border : throw 

 it up as loosely as possible, so that it may have its interstices full of 

 air, which will hasten the preparation of the various ingredients of 

 which it is composed for food for the Vines ; and generally such 

 borders heat a little, which gives newly-planted Vines a rapid start 

 by setting their roots into action at once. Another benefit resulting 

 from this system of forming Vine-borders, is the facility with which 

 superfluous water passes away, or can be detected if it does not by 

 sounding the upright air-pipes. Where the soil of which the border 

 is made is of a light sandy character, aeration is by no means necessary, 

 for all carbonaceous matter in such soil is rapidly decomposed and 

 prepared for the food of plants, from the facility with which air per- 



