258 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



rubbish answers well for the top layer, The drainage may be deeper it ought not 

 to be less than 12 inches and a thin layer of reversed turves upon it will make all 

 safe and sound for no one knows how long. 



Making the Border, This is best effected a short time only in advance of planting, 

 for considerable warmth results from the fermentation that issues on the putting 

 together of turf in quantity, and lasts the greater part of the season. The turf may 

 be cut in squares ranging from 2 to 6 inches, with sufficient loose soil to allow of 

 the whole incorporated ingredients being put together evenly, compressing gently 

 with a four-pronged fork, so as to make the mass compact. With the compost 

 moderately moist and firmed as advised, little settling will take place, but if put 

 together lightly the border will sink considerably. That, however, is not the right 

 way to make a border for vines. 



When the ingredients used with the turf are few, the latter need not be broken 

 up, but packed as closely as possible, grass side downwards, filling all crevices with 

 the loose soil that breaks off the turves during removal, giving special attention to 

 the sides of the walls, where there is apt to be a crevice such as might take away 

 much of the water given to the vines. During the process of building up the turves 

 a few crushed bones or other ingredients are sprinkled on. Borders put together in 

 this manner have a good mechanical action, and the continuous decay of the vegetable 

 matter furnishes the stimulus to free growth which characterises vines planted in 

 fresh turf, but in a few years that mechanical action ceases, and the mass becomes 

 simple loam. Hence the necessity of providing materials that will render the texture 

 of the border permanently friable. 



The depth of the border ought not to be less than 2 feet. Shallow borders need large 

 supplies of water to insure proper moisture when the vines are in active growth, and, 

 unless the water or liquid manure correspond to the temperature of the soil, the roots are 

 frequently checked, which prejudicially affects the health of the vines, and the swelling 

 and perfecting of their crops. The depth of soil named answers well for varieties of 

 moderate vigour. Free-growing sorts, such as Black Hamburgh, have all needs provided 

 for in 27 to 30 inches depth. The strongest varieties do not require much more than 

 that. Three to 6 inches more in depth may, however, be allowed where the soil is light, 

 or the rain-fall low, 12 inches or less for the summer months (April to September inclu- 

 sive). Correspondingly less depth is needed where the soil is strong, or the rain-fall high 

 18 inches or more during the summer months. Growers must exercise judgment. 



