THE GRAPE VINE. IO3 



cially when their outward extension is barred, to seek 

 downwards, far from the influence of heat and air, and 

 where the soil is constantly moist. Fortunately this 

 tendency can be counteracted, for roots have the habit 

 of going to points where they are fed. 



In order, then, to keep the roots as near the surface 

 as is desirable, the most successful means is to remove, 

 at intervals of two years at least, all the inert soil that 

 is found on the surface of the border unoccupied with 

 roots. This should be carefully done with a fork, and 

 sufficiently deep to lay bare some of the roots without 

 disturbing them much. Then cover them over with 

 a mixture of fresh loam two parts, rotten dung or 

 horse-droppings one part, and lime-rubbish or charcoal 

 pounded rather finely one part, with the addition of 

 half a barrowful of bone-meal to every six barrowfuls 

 of the mixture. Lay this over the roots to the depth 

 of 6 or 7 inches. If this top-dressing is kept moder- 

 ately moist, the roots will work upwards into it and 

 multiply rapidly. In the heat of summer a light 

 mulching of half-decayed stable-litter should be spread 

 over it, to prevent moisture from evaporating and the 

 necessity for much watering. In thus treating a border 

 of vines that have to be forced early, the top-dressing 

 should be put on in the autumn, before the border is 

 covered up from cold and wet, and the heat from the 

 fermenting material will warm the new surface-soil, 

 and all the more encourage the roots to work upwards. 



In all localities where the rainfall is great, vine- 

 borders should be protected from excessive moisture ; 

 for unless the borders are in superexcellent order, and 

 the roots all thoroughly ripened, a great quantity of the 

 small fibry roots which are made in summer die off 

 through excessive moisture, and this tells very much 



