Grape Culture. 37 



CHAPTER XX. 

 RENOVATING VINE BORDERS. 



THIS can be done in various ways. When good fruit is grown, 

 and especially when grapes of the highest quality are pro- 

 duced, there will be a tendency to a falling off in quality and 

 quantity as the vines get older. The experienced cultivator 

 will at once examine the borders, which will be found to be 

 heavy, sodden, and not a root to be found near the surface. 

 To replant new vines means a heavy outlay ; but there are 

 various ways in which the old ones can be improved even 

 without loss of crop. First, by lifting their roots and removing 

 the soil downwards. Relay the roots among fresh compost, 

 similar to that recommended for making up borders. This 

 should be done before the leaves fall, generally the end of 

 September and first week of October are the best times for 

 this operation. This applies to both outside and inside 

 borders, only it is not advisable to do both the same year. 

 I advise doing the outside border one year, and the inside one 

 the following. 



This year (1906) I have just lifted most of my vine roots 

 nearly to the front wall. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

 ROOT PRUNING OLD VINES. 



THIS is another method of improving old vines, and it is so 

 important a matter that I thought it advisable to have a chapter 

 on it alone. I have practised this for years with good results. 

 Take out a trench two or three feet broad from end to end 

 of the Border ; clean well out right to the drainage, and see 

 that this gives no sign of being blocked up. If so, remove the 



