56 THE GRAPE. 



after the borders become filled with roots, as they are always 

 more or less drawing nutriment and moisture, thereby 

 rendering the base soil more porous, when the gases of the 

 atmosphere, which are very beneficial, have a chance of 

 occupying the interstices, and forming chemical combi- 

 nations with the material ; thereby producing a continual 

 renewal of suitable food for the support of vegetable life. 

 We have ample proofs of the correctness of this, and where 

 borders are constructed as above advised, there will be an 

 admission of air, not only from the openings to the drains 

 and from them under the whole bed, but also from above. 



It is not by administering such enormous doses of stimu- 

 lating, or fertilizing material all at once, and before the 

 roots have progressed in sufficient numbers, or distance, to 

 appropriate it to their use, that we are to calculate upon 

 the most permanent results, or immediate success. So 

 long as we supply from time to time what is required, it is 

 enough, and if we have got well drained and porous bor- 

 ders, we can the more readily apply top-dressings and 

 mulchings in after years, without injury, or covering 

 the roots too deep ; for if*, in efficiently drained ground, a 

 layer of dung be spread over the surface, it will be found 

 after a time, that there is little but dry chaff left, all the 

 soluble parts having been washed by the rains down into 

 the soil below, and the plants will have received the bene- 

 fit of it. 



With regard to the width of these borders there are 

 many opinions, and different persons have been led by 

 the dictation of fancy into dogmatic assertion, without 

 duly considering the requirements of nature. Now, if we 

 take this for our guide, and, generally speaking, it is the 

 best reasoner, we must provide a large superficial area ; 

 for the roots of the grape vine are great travellers, and 

 will, if allowed their own way, extend over much space, 



