286 



GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



border be inside, and away from it if outside, and in each case be con- 

 nected with a main drain. If, however, the subsoil is dry and gravelly, 

 and therefore porous, drain-pipes are not required. Supposing these to 

 have been placed in, if necessary, and carefully covered with large 

 stones to prevent breakage; sufficient brick rubble should be placed 

 over the bottom of the border to make a covering nine inches deep. 

 This makes a splendid foundation for a Vine border, and affords ex- 

 cellent drainage. 



5th 4th 3rd 2nd ist year 



SECTION OF HALF SPAN-ROOFED HOUSE. WAY TO MAKE VINE 

 BORDER, GRADUALLY ADDING NEW SOIL YEARLY 



To prevent the soil from choking the drainage up, fill the remaining 

 space chiefly with turfy loam the coarser the better. If broken up 

 into very small particles, it does not remain sweet and wholesome so 

 long as when turves chopped into about four pieces are used, neither 

 does it afford so attractive a rooting medium as coarse fibrous loam. 



To insure annual crops of Grapes, mix other ingredients with the 

 loam. Two of the most easily obtainable, and at the same time 

 the most valuable, are wood ashes, and lime and brick rubble. 

 The latter allows the water to pass freely through the border, thus 



