170 PLANTING AND MANAGING 



also because the shoots of a vine can be trained so 

 much more easily round a circular column than round 

 one of any other description having corners or angles 

 to it. 



It must first be observed, that, as the soil or ground 

 on which erections of this description can be put, 

 will have no connection whatever with the roots of 

 the vines that are to be enclosed within them, proper 

 and convenient sites may be chosen wholly irrespec- 

 tive of the nature of the soil on which the erections 

 are to be built. Any situation therefore will do, pro- 

 vided it be sheltered, and have an open exposure or 

 aspect facing the course of the sun. 



Assuming, then, that a proper site has been chosen 

 for the erection of a column of the above-mentioned 

 description, the following directions in building it are 

 to be observed : — 



1st. Lay a course of bricks on the ground in the 

 form of a square, the sides of which shall measure 

 four feet. This is to form the base of the column, 

 and is intended to give it an architectural feature. 

 Now, if the site be near any building or wall, or 

 straight path, then the sides of this base must be at 

 right angles with that building, or wall, &c. ; but if 

 none of these exist, then the base must be laid with 

 its corners pointing to the four cardinal points of the 

 horizon. The joints of the brickwork are to be filled 

 in with cement or strong mortar, so as to prevent the 

 roots of the vine from penetrating through into the 

 soil beneath. 



2d. The base of the column being laid, the circle 

 for the brickwork of it must then be accurately 

 marked out ; after which, the first course of bricks is 

 to be laid flatwise, so that their inner ends may point 

 to the centre of the circle, and their outer ones form 

 the periphery of it. Half bricks will be sufficiently 

 strong, provided that at four equally distant parts of 

 the circle, in every course, a whole brick be laid, 

 which Avill strengthen the work and make it firm. 

 Half bricks, while the cost of them is much less, will 



