42 



Its attractive power increases with increase of temperature, so that in hottest weather 

 it will best supply the food that the plants need. We are not to suppose the material 

 of the border is food ready prepared for the plants, but rather that it is the unwasting 

 material from which such a daily supply is cooked, as the little stomata may need, and 

 not in wastful proportions, but that the want and supply are greatly increased by in- 

 crease of temperature, as also ability to appropriate, or, in other words, to effect growth 

 and fruitfulness. 



To make a border that will give results most abundaiitly satisfactory, no learned 

 compound is needed, but just such a soil as will give the best crop of corn or wheat, 

 but deeper by two or three fold, will be all that is desired for a grape border or vine- 

 yard. How best to effect this, depends upon a great variety of circumstances, at 

 which we can scarcely glance for the present. Where stable manure is cheap and 

 abundant, the grand specific is revealed. But generally where grapes in the garden 

 especially are most desired, it is scarce and dear. Of the compost-heap we sliall speak 

 soon ; for in all gardening operations it may be looked upon as a convenience so great 

 that it may be considered indispensable. 



We shall, for the present, assume the position as undisputed, that the border must 

 be deep and well enriched, and also that its component parts must be thoroughly 

 worked together into one homogeneous mass. But the terms " deep" and " rich" con- 

 vey no very definite idea, and with propriety, vary according to circumstances. A 

 depth of eighteen inches of well-prepared soil may, under one state of things, be 

 quite sufficient, while another set of circumstances may require at least three feet. 

 We will consider these the maximum and minimum, remarking that the depth may 

 be almost as damagingly too great as too little. Towards the northern limit of the 

 vine-growing region, success depends upon making the most of a season rather too 

 short and temperature inconveniently low, and the full measure of success there ob- 

 tainable, under every appliance and care, will not generally quite equal the ordinary 

 good results which are easily obtainable in the most favorable latitude. To make the 

 most of the spring the roots must be kept as near the surface as practicable, and con- 

 sistent with their maintenance in healthful productiveness, and the ripening of both 

 wood and fruit in early autumn is considerably hastened by having the fertility of its 

 border of moderate depth and the drainage most thorough and effective. 



With what appliances and under what circumstances these co-workers with nature, 

 under difficulties, may best succeed, we shall soon attempt to show ; and with no small 

 degree of pleasure, for to these her most earnest and devoted lovers, we are indebted 

 for much of the knowledge of our art. Eminent success in horticulture, and more 

 especially in viticulture, depends upon such a degree of knowledge as can be attaineci 

 only in a " rather unfavorable climate and tolerably barren soil," and the way to suc- 

 cess has been marked with such clear lines of light, that it is not difficult to follow ; and 

 although the fruits of the soil will generously reward the labor, a far more valuable 

 compensation will result in the development and cultivation of the man whose powers 

 will be called into healthful and invigorating exercise in the way of charity and be- 

 nevolence. 



The preparation of the border may be effected in a variety of ways, according to 

 circumstances, and the end to be accomplished. 



1st. To preplire one of eighteen inches in depth. This may be done by " trenching" 

 with a spade ; and to commence it, a trench of about eighteen inches in depth, and the 

 same width is made ; if the subsoil is gravelly, and not retentive of water, the top soil 

 of the adjoining eighteen inches may be thrown into the bottom of the trench, constant- 

 ly mingling a little manure with it as it is pulverized and thrown in, omitting what ia 

 technically called drainage. If the subsoil is retentive, but the ground has some de- 

 gree of inclination, loosening the subsoil with a pick will generally afford sufficient 

 drainage unless there is an extraordinary supply of water which must be disposed of. 

 We will suppose the fertile soil has a depth of one foot. There will then be half a 

 foot 7-1 unfertile subsoil to be put upon the top and made fertile by manure, or be 



