THE GRAPE. 273 



out the natural soil to the required depth, and the length 

 and width necessary. For a single vine the border should 

 be eight or ten feet long and four wide. 



When the excavation is made, if the soil be stiff or 

 damp, a few inches, or a foot deep, of small stones, brick, 

 rubbish, etc., may be laid on the bottom as a sort of drain- 

 age. On the top of this, deposit the compost for the 

 border. This may consist of two parts of good, fresh, 

 friable loam, one of old, well-rotted manure, and one of 

 ashes, shells, broken bones, etc., all completely mixed with 

 one another. The top of the border, when finished, should 

 be at least a foot higher than the surface of the ground, 

 so that it may still remain higher after settling. 



Position of the Vine or Border. A southern exposure 

 is generally considered best, because there the vine is sup- 

 posed to get the rays of the sun during the entire day; 

 but an eastern exposure, with sun three-fourths of the day, 

 is often quite as successful, and especially so with the 

 early-ripening varieties. A western is next best, while 

 a northern exposure, with the sun's rays only one-half the 

 day, should be avoided if possible, but if used the hardy 

 early-ripening varieties only should be planted. 



Planting the Vine. As in planting any other tree, the 

 roots should be carefully spread out, and the fine earth 

 worked well in amongst them. Its position should be ex- 

 actly in the centre of the trellis it is to be trained on. 



The depth to which the roots are covered should never 

 be less than four inches over the upper or crown line, and 

 if the position is a southern one and the soil naturally 

 dry, six to eight inches will be better. 



Distance Apart. This must be regulated somewhat by 

 the variety of vine planted ; the Concord, Tves', or other 

 strong-growing sorts, requiring nearly double the room of 

 the equally healthy and vigorous but short-jointed varie- 

 ties, like the Delaware, Rebecca, etc. 



The Trellis. Having the border thus prepared, the next 

 12* 



