On the Formation of Vine Borders. 113 



To give your readers some definite idea of the results of 

 the above experiment, I will give an account of the growth 

 of the vines, as well as the weight and quality of their fruit, 

 for the five years succeeding their plantation, from notes 

 which I kept regularly during that time. Most of the grapes 

 were sold, generally the whole housefull together. I may 

 here state, that every year the vines were allowed to start of 

 their own accord ; no fire heat was given them, except severe 

 weather compelled it, and to assist in maturing the young 

 wood in autumn, when necessary. 



First year. — No. 1 started away considerably ahead of 

 the others, and this I attributed to the leaf mould in which 

 they were planted ; in a few weeks, Nos. 2 and 3 came up to 

 it, and, by the end of September, no difference was percepti- 

 ble between the three houses, save in the maturation of their 

 wood : Nos. 2 and 3 were, perhaps, a fortnight earlier than 

 No. 1, and the leaves of the former were yellow, when the 

 latter were green. The incipient fruit stalks were picked oflf 

 as they appeared. 



Second year. — No. 1. The vines grew tremendously strong, 

 rather long-jointed, with the exception of one vine, which 

 turned yellow and sickly. The Hamburghs produced a few 

 fine bunches, with very large berries, but much inferior, in 

 color and flavor, to those in the other houses. The Muscats 

 produced a few bunches, and these set badly, though those 

 that remained were large and good. No. 2. This house made 

 beautiful wood, short-jointed, and very equal in size. The 

 Hamburghs produced a lighter crop than in No. 1, but better 

 colored and flavored. The Muscats set better, and the ber- 

 ries equally large and good. No. 3 produced fine rods, near- 

 ly as good as No. 2, but a very light crop of fruit. Ham- 

 burghs pretty good, bunches and berries rather smaller than 

 No. 2, but higher colored and flavored. Weight of fruit in 

 the three houses respectively : — No. 1. — 79 lbs. No. 2. — 84 

 lbs. No. 3. — 46 lbs. The summer was very dry, and the 

 borders were liberally supplied with manure water. 



Third year. — No. 1. Three vines in this house were com- 

 pletely barren. They started with the others, and grew very 

 strong for a short time, but, as they came into flower, the 

 flower stalks curled up, and became abortive. The leaves as- 



VOL. XV. NO. III. 15 



