46 



As it is natural to have the roots vegetating in a 

 soil of which the heat bears a relative proportion to 

 that in which the foliage is expanding, means should 

 be taken to effect this very essential object. To ne- 

 glect it is to invite disease and imperfection in the 

 crop ; and so convinced of this are the majority of 

 first-rate gardeners, that expensive structures, hot- 

 water pipes, &c. have been proposed for the sole 

 purpose of warming the soil ; but we entirely agree 

 with Dr. Lindley, when he observes that there are two 

 reasons why it is not advisable to bury hot-water pipes 

 in a vine border. In the first place, that plant does 

 not require so much bottom heat as the pipes would 

 give ; and, secondly, they would dry the earth, and 

 in that way do more harm than they would do service 

 in warming it. If a border is to be heated by hot- 

 water pipes, they must be enclosed in a hollow cham- 

 ber, so that their drying action may be prevented. 

 It is desirable to guard the roots of vines from frost ; 

 but that should be done by a covering to the border 

 which keeps off cold rain and snow, and prevents the 

 escape of heat. (Gard. Chron. 1842,561.) 



The best covering for outside vine borders is one 

 of horse-dung and leaves. Of these, Mr. Clarke, gar- 

 dener at Shirley Park, near Croydon, recommends, in 

 December, eighteen inches in thickness to be laid, and 

 thatched with any material to carry off the water ; 

 green broom looks very neat, and will carry off all 



