62 NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 



The first step in leading the roots in their downward 

 course is in mixing into the border a quantity of ordinary 

 manure from the farm or stables. Naturally, the roots have 

 the instinct, if the term may be applied, of going where 

 they get most to feed upon ; and planted in a border thus 

 enriched, with the surface of it left uncovered, the roots go 

 down in search of the more moist and consequently more 

 available elements of nutrition at a distance from the exposed, 

 drier surface. If at first no such manure is mixed in the 

 soil, but instead of it bones and other appropriate manures, 

 and immediately the vines are planted the farm-yard manure 

 be placed on the surface as a mulching, and it be kept 

 moist all through the season of the growth of the vines, 

 the moisture and elements of nutrition in the surface dress- 

 ing will attract the roots. It is not necessary nor desirable 

 should the first Summer be dry and hot that more water 

 should be applied than will keep the surface of the border 

 moist by artificial waterings. The bottom will take care of 

 itself, and if the upper portion is thus kept moist the roots 

 will keep to it as sure as water runs downhill. 



Every third year, some time late in Autumn or in Winter, 

 when the vines are at rest, the mulching should be removed, 

 and also the surface soil till the roots are reached, and 

 immediately over them should be laid three or four inches 

 of fresh loam and horse droppings in the proportion of four 

 parts of the former to one part of the latter, and also a few 

 barrowfuls of old mortar or charcoal rather finely pounded, 

 then over the whole throw as much rough stable litter as 

 will keep the frost out. After the vines have begun growing 

 in Spring remove the dry litter ; then, or some time before 

 there is any chance of drought affecting the surface of the 

 border, carefully lay on three or four inches of good farm- 

 yard manure, and keep it moist. This process, if attended 

 to, will keep the roots at the surface in the greatest health 

 and activity. This is termed " root cultivation ; " and if 

 neglected the roots go down in search of moisture and nour- 

 ishment, because they cannot get such at the surface, and 

 the fruit is not so fine. 



As we are addressing ourselves to amateurs it may be 

 necessary to explain the technical terms in common use 

 amongst practical men, the principal ones have the merit of 

 being peculiarly expressive. 



