4o ON SOIL. 



crease of solar heat, the very life and soul of all vege- 

 tation, and being, moreover, near the surface, they 

 can be nourished with liquid manure, to any extent 

 that may be necessary. These surface roots ought, 

 therefore, to be taken great care of and encouraged 

 by all possible means, as being amongst the most 

 valuable of any belonging to the vine, and as con- 

 tributing in a high degree to improve the flavor of 

 the fruit, and to insure its ripening, even in the most 

 unfavorable seasons. 



The border, therefore, after it is once made, ought 

 never to be stirred but at intervals, when necessary 

 to prevent the surface of it from becoming a hard, 

 impervious coat. On such occasions it should be 

 carefully forked to the depth of a couple of inches, 

 which will keep it sufficiently loose and open, to re- 

 ceive the full influence of the sun and air. When- 

 ever weeds appear, they should be hoed up, or pluck- 

 ed by the hand immediately. In fine, the border 

 should be kept sacred from the intrusion of any other 

 plant, tree, or vegetable production whatsoever, and 

 be solely devoted to the growth and nourishment of 

 the roots of the vines. 



Here, before concluding these remarks upon soil, it 

 is necessary to observe, that although the foregoing 

 directions with respect to soil, the preparation of bor- 

 ders, &c. will, if followed, ensure the prosperous 

 growth of vines, and the annual production and ma- 

 turation of fine crops of grapes, and are therefore 

 highly deserving of being practically adopted at all 

 times when circumstances permit; yet, it must not 

 therefore be supposed, that vines will not grow and 

 mature fine fruit, unless planted in well-prepared bor- 

 ders. Quite the contrary is the fact, for vines will do 

 well in any unprepared soil, that 4s not too stiff, and 

 that has a dry bottom, but they grow quicker, and 

 consequently bear greater crops of grapes within a 

 given space of time, when planted in a soil that has 

 been properly prepared for their reception. 



For instance, if two cuttings be planted, the one in 



