ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS. 65 



It is not only necessary for the training of vines with 

 precision, but if the surface of tn% wall be not smooth 

 and even, the grapes will, at times, be considerably in- 

 jured, by being blown to and fro by the wind, against 

 the rough and uneven parts of it. 



Dark-coloured flint walls are hotter than those built 

 of brick, but this advantage is more than counterbal- 

 anced by their uneven surface. But if the faces of 

 the flints be well hammer-dressed, and the Joints of 

 the wall made to run in proper courses, they make a 

 handsome wall, and one that will absorb and retain 

 heat in a greater degree than any other. 



If, from local causes, neither bricks nor flints can 

 be procured, stone of any description may be substitu- 

 ted, but the darker the colour, and the closer the tex- 

 ture, the more will it absorb and retain heat, and repel 

 moisture ; and, consequently, the better will it be 

 adapted for the end in view. 



As a substitute for walls, stout ranges of paling, 

 made of well-seasoned wood, or of the planks of old 

 ships, well coated over with paint, are at times erected, 

 but grapes produced in this way are seldom equal to 

 those grown on walls. 



For the foundation of a vine wall, stone is preferable 

 to bricks, the former being more solid and durable. 

 And, if the wall be an outer one, and the soil on the 

 outside of it be of such a description as to render it 

 necessary that the roots of the vines should be prevent- 

 ed from getting into it, the foundation ought to be 

 deep, and cemented firmly together, so as to make it 

 as solid as possible. But if the soil, on each side of 

 the wall, be such as to make it advantageous for the 

 roots to run freely into it, no greater depth need be 

 gone to, nor should any more cement be used in put- 

 ting the materials together, than is necessary to make 

 the foundation sufficiently strong and firm to support 



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