Grape Culture. 39 



rubble and put in fresh brickbats, etc. (See chapter II. on 

 drainage). 



The trench should be four or five feet from the front of 

 vinery. Cut the roots straight off right down to the drainage. 

 Refil the trench with fresh turfy compost and some vine and 

 plant food. I have long used my own vine manure (Kirk's 

 Vine and Plant Food), and I owe a great deal of my success 

 to its favourable qualities. It is a powerful fertilizer, and 

 must not be carelessly handled. It is also very important to 

 bear in mind that whenever a vine border is renewed, or any 

 addition whatever to the border, lime must never be forgotten, 

 as it is essential for the formation of the stones in the berries. 

 This work of root pruning, etc., must be done also early in the 

 season so as to get the roots into the new compost before the 

 leaves fall. But the same time will suit as recommended 

 for lifting and re-laying roots end of September and beginning 

 of October. In a few years, open the new trench and it will 

 be full of fibry roots. Then, by adding another trench both 

 inside and outside every two or three years, the vines will be 

 kept fruitful and in good health for many years to come. 

 When grapes are not progressing satisfactorily, and the 

 cause is found to be that the roots are too far down, get 

 the above operations carried out at once ; never mind if the 

 leaves flag a bit it will improve your vines in the end. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

 ROOT PRUNING YOUNG VINES. 



I HAVE cut the roots off young vines in the same manner as 

 old ones, and refilled the trench with fresh compost with great 

 success, especially when the vines were inclined to become 

 gross. As a result of this practice, I am convinced that vine 

 roots should be cut back the same as other fruit trees. 



