44 



not indispensable. The border should be two feet 

 deep in a low damp situation, or three feet in a high 

 dry one. To provide for the compost settling below 

 the wall plate, place boards or thin slates against the 

 houses, and keep the border at least six inches above 

 its intended level. This should be done early in au- 

 tumn, to allow the earth to settle before the planting 

 time. There ought not to be a foot placed on the 

 border ; whenever it is needful to walk upon it, boards 

 should be laid on in the places where the person must 

 tread. A border made in this manner will last many 

 years, with the help of a covering of dung every au- 

 tumn, to be pointed in with a three-pronged fork 

 when the winter is over. The vines intended to 

 plant place in a forcing-house early in spring, in bas- 

 kets lined with thin turf, and filled up round the balls 

 with leaf-mould. The two top buds only are to be 

 allowed to push. Keep two for fear of accidents, re- 

 moving one after the vines are planted and quite safe. 

 As soon as the warm weather of May or June sets in 

 is the best time for planting. Holes sufficiently large 

 are to be opened ; the vines are brought out one at a 

 time, the baskets sunk, and left to rot, only just co- 

 vering them ; then give a good watering, and secure 

 the vines to the rafters, which finishes the operation 

 of planting. (Gard. Chron. 1841, 627.) 



Mr. J. Roberts, gardener at Eshton Hall, in York- 

 shire, gives the following directions upon the same 



