1871.] VINES AND VINE -BORDERS. 115 



of drainage should be placed in the bottoms of the pots compactly, 

 and a little moss can often be used over the drainage. Place some of 

 the rougher part of the material at bottom, and add it round the ball 

 of the plant, leaving no vacant space ; plenty of room should be left 

 for watering. Plants grown in peat alone require firm potting and 

 plenty of drainage. If loam is heavy, extra drainage will be required. 

 Water all plants under glass with tepid water, at least as warm as the 

 temperature they are growing in. Give moisture in the morning till 

 nights are warmer. Give air early to all plants requiring it. Firing 

 should only be given when its absence cannot be dispensed with. 

 Use stakes only as necessary evils, and hide them by the branches they 

 are tied to, as far as it can be done. Compactness without stiff for- 

 mality is desirable. Decaying leaves and dirty pots are very injur- 

 ious to the health of all plants. When small seeds are sown, little 

 covering should be given, and rather fine soil allowed. Balsams, 

 Cockscombs, Stocks, Asters, Rodanthes, Primulas, and Cinerarias are 

 among those small seeds which will now or very soon require careful 

 sowing, and placed in warmth. M. T. 



VINES AND VINE-B ORDERS. 



I AM glad Mr Wm. Thomson has again brought the subject of Vines 

 and Vine-borders under the notice of the readers of the ' Gardener.' I 

 agree with him that there is yet much to be said on the subject of 

 border-making and the after-management of Vines. 



In reference to that part of his paper which treats of the usual mode 

 of raising young Vines, it cannot be doubted that the system he de- 

 scribes is opposed to the future w^elldoing of the Amines. 



Growing Vines during the earlier stages of their existence in rich 

 soil, wdth the addition of bottom-heat, is a practice that cannot be too 

 soon done away with. Then, as stated by Mr Thomson, the crowding 

 of the canes during the growing season precludes the possibility of 

 their acquiring the conditions necessary to constitute " strong planting 

 canes." 



That Vines grown under such circumstances are made to assume, 

 through a liberal application of fire-heat, the appearance of being ripe, 

 I admit. But are they so? or in a condition to fulfil the end in view? 

 are questions I answer in the negative. 



Nurserymen have recourse to this mode of treatment that they may 

 produce in the shortest possible time canes that in point of thickness 

 will satisfy their customer. But, other conditions being wanting, the 



I 



