FORMATION OF VINE BORDERS. 75 



such situations being also diy, from the excavations 

 wliicli have been made, offer to the roots the same 

 protection from excessive moisture, as the substratum 

 of a well-prepared border. The same may be 

 observed of vines planted against walls, the founda- 

 tions of which possess similar advantages, although 

 in a more limited degree. Hence the fact may be 

 inferred that vines planted in such situations, without 

 any previous preparation of the soil, will frequently 

 grow as luxuriantly, and produce as fine grapes as 

 those planted in rich and well-prepared borders. 



" Indeed, it is hardly possible to plant a vine in any 

 situation in which it will not thrive, provided its roots 

 can by any means push themselves into a dry place, 

 and the aspect be such as to afford to its branches a 

 sufficient portion of the sun's rays to elaborate the 

 juices of the plant. 



" The truth is, that the roots of the vine possess an 

 extraordinary power of adapting themselves to any 

 situation in which they may be planted, provided it 

 be a dry one. 



" They will ramble in every direction in search of 

 food, and extract nourishment from sources apparently 

 the most barren. In short, they are the best caterers 

 that can possibly be imagined, for they will grow, 

 and even thrive luxuriantly, where almost every des- 

 cription of plant or tree would inevitably starve." 



