46 ON SOIL. 



to discover the particular species of soil which they 

 preferred, and 1 have uniformly found, that where 

 any portion of this compost had been introduced, the 

 fibrous extremities of the roots had pushed themselves 

 into it, and multiplied there in a tenfold degree be- 

 yond those in the adjacent soil. T think, therefore, 

 that however rich the soil of a vine border may 

 naturally be, a portion of this compost may be added 

 to it with the greatest advantage. It should be 

 scraped or swept off the road, when it is not so wet 

 as to cake together, nor so dry as to be bordering 

 upon dust, but in a moderately dry state, betwixt the 

 two extremes. It ought to be mixed with the other 

 components of the border, soon after it has been col- 

 lected from the road, as all its valuable qualities will 

 then be preserved entire. 



In putting the materials of the border together, as 

 many whole bones as can possibly be procured should 

 be inserted with them, (in the manner hereafter men- 

 tioned in the chapter on manure.) and if these cannot 

 be obtained in sufficient abundance, then, such other 

 substances as are therein recommended as manures, 

 may be substituted. It is desirable that the width oif 

 the border should not be less than eight feet, if local 

 circumstances will permit, but if not, one of less 

 width must suffice. For the space of about a couple 

 of feet in breadth from the bottom of the wall, a 

 sufficient quantity of stones or gravel, but not of a 

 binding nature, should be laid, to form a path to 

 stand on, in order to perform with cleanness and fa- 

 cility, those necessary operations on the vines, which 

 are almost daily required throughout the summer. 

 Stones, or gravel, thus laid over the border at the 

 bottom of the wall, will likewise be productive of 

 great advantage in radiating the heat of the sun's 

 rays, and thereby hastening the maturation of the 

 fruit growing on the lower part of the wall ; and also 

 in keeping it clear, and free from splashes of dirt, 

 that are frequently the consequences of heavy rains. 

 Small shingle, procured from the sea beach, when 



