CHAPTER XXI 

 The Vine 



IT is the ambition of most amateurs, sooner or later, to grow 

 their own grapes. This is not a matter of great difficulty, 

 providing proper attention is paid to the needs of the Vines. 

 He who starts the work in a haphazard fashion must expect 

 nothing but disappointment ; the Vine will probably become 

 a prey to mildew and other maladies, and to the attacks of 

 insect pests, and the bunches of Grapes will not be worth eating. 



Good Grapes may be grown perfectly in a greenhouse that 

 is in a sunny position and can be freely ventilated ; no warmth 

 is required unless it is necessary to obtain an early supply of 

 fruit. It is, however, certainly an advantage in a dull, wet 

 season to be able to heat the greenhouse for the purpose of keep- 

 ing the atmosphere dry when the Grapes are ripening. Never- 

 theless, in an average season it is possible to bring the crop 

 to maturity without the aid of artificial warmth. 



Making a Vine Border. The Vines must be planted in a 

 properly prepared border. It does not matter whether the 

 border is inside or outside the greenhouse. The existing soil, 

 unless it is really of good quality, must be excavated to the 

 depth of from 2 to 3 feet. In the bottom of the hole thus formed 

 a layer of broken brick or clinker is placed to ensure perfect 

 drainage, and upon this is put a layer of old turves, grass side 

 downwards. The remaining space is filled with a prepared 

 compost, consisting of old turves, each chopped into six pieces 

 with a spade, together with a sprinkling of bonemeal, soot, 

 basic slag, and wood ashes. This may seem to be an elaborate 

 preparation to make, but one has to realise that the Vine lives 

 to an old age, and cannot well be replanted when once estab- 

 lished. The usual plan in forming a Vine border is to make 

 it 3 feet in width, and to enlarge it every few years as becomeg 

 accessary, until the border is 6 feet wide. This is better than 

 snaking it the full width at first, because one is able to 



