ON WALLS AND IN OPEN 89 



TREATMENT OF VINES ON WALLS AND IN THE OPEN 



It is within the reach of every cottager living in 

 the country in every county in Great Britain and 

 Ireland to sit under the shade of his own grape-vine. 

 Of course, the southern, western, and eastern counties 

 are more favourably situated for the culture and pro- 

 duction of grapes out of doors than northern counties 

 are. Still, northern counties have their own favour- 

 able positions, sloping to the south, south-west, or 

 west, and sheltered from northerly and easterly winds, 

 just as the southern, western, and eastern counties 

 have ; and in these positions fairly good grapes of the 

 black cluster variety may be secured in most seasons. 

 Of course, the most favourable positions are walls 

 and fences facing due south, south-west, or west. 

 If the available space of wall or fence to be covered 

 with the grape-vine be, say, twelve feet wide (it does 

 not matter about the height), plant one vine in the centre 

 of this space in an excavated hole representing the half 

 of a five feet in diameter circle and about two ai^d a half 

 feet deep. Place therein about six inches of brickbats 

 and clinkers, or stones with a little gravel for drainage, 

 covering this with turves, grassy side down, or, fail- 

 ing this, with long litter, to prevent the soil getting 

 into the drainage. Fill this hole to within three inches 

 of the top with prepared soil and in this plant the vine, 

 spreading the roots well, like the distended fingers of 

 the hand, shortening back straggling roots and cutting 

 clean away any damaged portions, and then cover with 

 six inches of soil. This will settle down a few inches 

 within a few weeks from the time of planting, which 

 may be done in February or March. Secure the vine to 

 the wall or fence by means of nails and shreds. 



After the vine has pushed well into growth, train the 

 two lower young shoots of the vine right and left to 



