158 THE GEAPE CULTURIST. 



this will make what is usually termed a border. Four 

 feet wide and two feet deep will answer every purpose, 

 unless the method of training to be adopted requires the 

 vines to be planted very near together ; if so, then it 

 may be necessary to make the border six or eight feet 

 wide. 



When the border is first made it should be a few 

 inches above the level of the surrounding surface-soil, as 

 it will usually settle, and frequently require a consider- 

 able addition of soil to prevent it being too low. If the 

 border were made only level with the surface of the gar- 

 den, when it settled it would carry the vines down with 

 it, and when filled up, the roots of the vines would be 

 buried too deep. When an outlet can be secured, either 

 into some hollow or sewer, it is well to lay a drain along 

 the bottom at one side of the border. This drain may 

 be made of tile, brick or stone, and should descend, at 

 least, one foot in a hundred, to secure the rapid passage 

 of the water. 



Drains made of stone should be covered with sods, 

 straw, wood shavings, or some similar materials, before 

 the trench is filled, as these will prevent the fine soil 

 entering and filling it up. In wet and heavy soils it is a 

 great point gained to secure a thorough and permanent 

 drainage. 



The materials used in making the border may be 

 the same as are used in the vineyard, but as they are not 

 always to be had, others may be used, avoiding always 

 all fresh, unfermented manures. If old manures cannot 

 be had, make the border entirely of soil, and if clayey, 

 add sand ; use ground bones and charcoal to put around 

 the roots when first planted, and then apply the fresh 

 manure to the surface, forking it in after it has become 

 rotted. A little lime, plaster or ashes may be added to 

 the border, but not in any great quantity, as there is 

 more danger of applying too much of such materials 



