Injurious effect of deep, rich Borders, 

 and deep planting in Vineyards. 



The ^' Ohio German System," and indeed all other 

 systems of grape culture practised or advocated in this 

 country^ are based upon the plan of deep, rich borders, 

 and deep trenching and heavy manuring for vineyards. 

 Indeed, so far do some of the Ohio writers carry this 

 doctrine, that they advise the cultivator to ^^ cut off the 

 roots of the vines near the surface of the ground, and 

 for four or five inches below the surface, that the roots, 

 while the vines are young, may be established at the 

 proper depth ;" that is, we presume, as deeply as possi- 

 ble. (See R. Buchanan on Grape Culture, pages 16, 

 17.) A more absurd or injurious practice could 

 scarcely be conceived. We should rather advise that 

 all roots which penetrate more than five inches below 

 the surface should be cut off, and that the surface roots 

 he preserved. 



Mr. Reemeliuj of Ohio, whose treatise on the vine is 

 well known, seems to be a little dubious about the merits 

 of the root-pruning practice above described. He says : 

 " I doubt the propriety of going down so far and cutting 



