78 BRIGHT ON GRAPE CULTURE. 



In contrast to this common system of culture^ we will 

 present an experiment tried by Mr. Fleming, of Eng- 

 land, a well known grape grower, to resuscitate one of 

 these decaying vineries, deeply planted in a rich, deep 

 border, as published in the Gardener's Chronicle. 



Mr. Fleming had the care of a vinery, which was 

 much subject to mildew; the grapes never colored well; 

 the leaves were small and burnt ; the grapes did not 

 mature. 



This ill success was, at first, attributed to the old 

 crown glass, with which the house was covered. This 

 glass was removed, and the house was glazed with the 

 best horticultural sheet glass, rolled, to destroy the 

 focus, but with no good result. They then put on a 

 ridge and furrow roof, but with no perceptible improve- 

 ment in the condition of the vines. It was at last con- 

 ceded that the defect must be in the border. 



Mr. Fleming then commenced at the foot of the 

 house, and very carefully took out all the soil and roots, 

 down to the drainage ; and as he raised the roots of 

 the vines, tied them up in damp moss, and suspended 

 them from the front of the house. He thus entirely re- 

 moved the old. border, and all the roots of the vines; 

 re-concreted the bottom of the border; laid a new drain- 

 age, well secured ; put in a fresh border, not very rich, 

 but chiefly composed of fresh, virgin soil, with a little 

 bone dust and well rotted manure ; spread out the roots 

 of the vines upon the surface of the border, and covered 

 them with two inches of soil, well mulched. 



