OT* SOIL. 53 



the site of the wall or building, be opened to the ex- 

 tent of eighteen inches square, and as many deep, it 

 will be sufficient to admit the roots of a young vine, 

 which must be pruned to suit that space. If a wider 

 and deeper space can be made, it will of course ba 

 better, but if not, that will do. After the sides and 

 bottom have been loosened as much as possible, the vine 

 may be planted, and the hole filled up with two-thirds 

 of rich loamy earth and one-third of road scrapings, 

 previously mixed well together ; and, if necessary, the 

 surface covering, whether of stone, brick, or otherwise, 

 may be restored again to its former state, provided a 

 space of about six inches square be left open for the 

 stem to swell in during its future growth. Vines 

 planted in such situations, will, in general, do well, al- 

 though their growth will not be so rapid as when plant- 

 ed under more favourable circumstances. 



In all cases where vines are planted against any 

 description of buildings, their roots push as soon as 

 possible under the foundations, being attracted thither 

 by the warm air which is there generated ; and such 

 situations being also dry, from the excavations which 

 have been made, offer to the roots the same protection 

 from excessive moisture, as the substratum of a well- 

 prepared border. The same may be observed of vines 

 planted against walls, the foundations of which pos- 

 sess similar advantages, although in a more limited de- 

 gree. Hence the fact may be inferred, that vines 

 planted in such situations, without any previous pre- 

 paration of the soil, will frequently grow as luxuriant- 

 ly, and produce as fine grapes, as those planted in rich 

 and well-prepared borders. 



Indeed, it is hardly possible to plant a vine in any 

 situation in which it will not thrive, provided its roots 

 can by any means push themselves into a dry place, 

 and the aspect be such as to afford to its branches a 



E* 



