GRAPE VINES DRAINAGE. * S7 



correspond in dimensions with the roof or trellis superficies ; that is, the width and length 

 of the border fully formed should equal those of the house. This amount of root space 

 serves vines, with judicious feeding and top-dressing, a lifetime, due regard being had 

 to proper management and cropping. When vines are given the run of outside as well 

 as inside borders it is a good rule to apportion the root space equally ; say, in a house 20 

 feet wide, make 10 feet of inside border at three times, and 10 feet of outside border at 

 other three times. Each section of border will serve the vines at least one, and with 

 judicious feeding and top-dressing two years, so that the vines are amply provided for 

 for twenty -one years at least, and their fruitfulness can be prolonged by renovating the 

 border. This amount of border space we find better than a larger one because more 

 likely to be properly made, duly attended to, and better occupied with active food- 

 imbibing roots. Large masses of soil are not necessary, and in the case of artificial 

 borders undesirable. 



When the natural soil and substratum are unsuited to the vine, the border should be 

 concreted at the bottom, and on that walls built so as to restrict the roots to the space 

 provided. The concrete should fall not less than 1 inch in 3 feet to the drains, and 

 these must communicate with land drains outside the border, and on a lower level. 

 It is not a good plan to have drains nearer the place of planting the vines than 3 or 

 4 feet on each side. This is of moment in lifting vines, especially when it is necessary 

 to renew the drainage. We prefer to have the drains about 9 feet apart longitudinally 

 of the house in preference to relying on a single drain in the front of the border. The 

 excavation is best made the whole width of the intended border, so that the concreted 

 bottom and retaining walls can be truly laid and built. The inside border, of course, 

 can be provided for first, continuing the concrete through the arches when there is to 

 be an outside border as well, afterwards bricking up the openings, for the inside 

 border must be well occupied with the roots of the vines before they are admitted 

 to the outside border, which need not be prepared until required. 



Drainage. Observations on soil and place for growing grapes successfully have been 

 given with a view to safe guidance. Provision has been made for carrying off super- 

 fluous water, yet it is well to make sure that the system of drainage insures abundant 

 aeration. Clean rubble-stones or brickbats not less in size than the doubled hand 

 should be placed at the bottom of the border 6 inches deep, then 3 inches in 

 thickness of pieces about half the size, and on them an even 3 inches of material 

 the size of road metal, every particle of fine being sifted out. Old mortar and brick 



VOL. II. L L 



