34 FRIMTS AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



borcliT, but a great deal depends on the nature ul" the siiil. It i^' an easy matter 

 to prescribe the best soil lor the purpose, but unfortunately the ideal is not al- 

 ways at hand though the deficiencies can be met to some extent. Should the 

 soil be heavy, add a few loads of old brick or lime rubbish, say at the rate of one 

 load to twenty of soil or anything to cause root action. Charcoal refuse will 

 answer the same purpose. As we near the surface of the border manures of 

 quicker action should be applied, such as a fine grade of bone. 1 will recom- 

 mend for this purpose a complete fertilizer for fruit under glass, which was 

 compounded a number ol years ago by Mr. Thomson of Chnenfords, Scotland, 

 and which still stands pre-eminent as one of the best cheniical fertili'cr^ for all 

 stone fruit. 1 am informed, on good authority that Tli()nis<in's \ine manure 

 is used more and more every year for fiuit growing under glass. The gardener 

 who once gives this manure a fair trial will always thereafter carry a few bags 

 on hand. This may seem a somewhat strong recommendation to any one who 

 has never used it, but I can safely say that Thomson's manure is gaining new 

 friends ds'cry year. Therefore, a few bags of it, for the surface, is money well 

 invested. Mix a bag of 1 12 pounds with four wagon loads of soil; this should be 

 ample for the top to give the vines a good start. But it is onlv after the vines 

 are well established that one begins to value this manure at its true worth 

 as a top dressing. The vines need e\er\' season a light top dressing of soil 

 and manure. About two pounds of vine manure to tiie square >ard will 

 give to the surface roots something to work on. Another light applica- 

 tion may be given after the Grapes are thinned out, if the vine roots be 

 near the surface. Mix a little fine soil with it and, in every case, give 

 the border a moderate watering after applying the dressing. Should 

 the border require a thorough soaking, this may be done a day or two before 

 the top dressing is given, as a light watering is preferable after appl>'ing 

 Thomson's manure. 



As I have previously noted, no set rules can be laid dow n for feeding. When 

 the vines depend wholly upon the inside border the\ require feeding oftener than 

 w^hen they also have the run of an outside border. And, aga'n, as the border 

 gets full of roots, they will naturally require more food. 



There may be differences of opinion as to the best \\a\ of making a border, 

 that is, whether the whole amount of soil should be put in at once, or whether 

 the border should be built up in sections, about four feet wide to commence 

 with, and adding thereto as the roots penetrate through until the border is 

 filled. This method will work successfully. But as, in our climate, the 

 evaporation is rapid during the Spring and Summer months, this narrov\ I. order 

 requires water so often that I prefer to build the whole at once. With perfect 

 drainage and care in watering during the first season there is not much clanger 

 of souring the b(jrder. 



As time goes on and the vines become thoroughly established, the border 

 must be overhauled each season before starting up the house. A plentiful 

 supply of working roots near the surface being desirable, all the loose soil should 

 be removed and a top dressing applied which should consist of about half soil 

 and half rich farmyard manure with a light sprinkling of Thomson's manure 



