Treatment and Management of the Vines. 385 



the width is outside of the house on each side, and about six 

 feet inside, as the grapes are all planted inside about six inches 

 from the walls, under each rafter. When completed, an al- 

 lowance should always be made for the settling of the com- 

 post, which generally subsides nearly six inches. Slaughter- 

 house and other strong manures, mixed with loam, bones, &c.; 

 and laid one year together, and occasionally turned over, will 

 answer a good purpose for a border : but the compost I have 

 alluded to, composed of the top spit of a pasture, is much to 

 be preferred, having within itself all the richness necessary 

 for the growth of the vine, with the annual applications of ma- 

 nure to the surface. 



1841. Planting of the Vines. — The vines were planted in 

 May, and I venture to say that the method taken Avas as fol- 

 lows. In the first place, the earth was dug out six inches 

 deep, and from five to six feet in width, leaving the bottom of 

 one level grade the whole length of the border : this is giving 

 all the roots an equal chance, and they should be spread out 

 carefully, covering the lowest roots only six inches deep, and 

 some of them not more than three inches, finishing with a 

 slight mulching over them of leaves or strawy manure ; this, 

 with occasional waterings through the summer, is all that is 

 requisite. 



Summer Treatment. — On the second of August, Mr. Thom- 

 as Needham took the charge and management of the Grapery, 

 at which time the vines had made a growth of three or four 

 feet. Keeping a moist atmosphere in the house, stopping the 

 lateral growths at the first joint, tying up the leading shoot of 

 each vine, with proper airing of the house every fine day, is 

 the routine of labour the first season. 



Pruning the Vines. — November 1st, the average growths of 

 the vines were from fifteen to seventeen feet ; in the latter 

 part of the month, they were taken from the trellis and pruned, 

 leaving the canes from six to eight feet in length. The vines 

 were then placed along the front of the house (inside) and 

 covered with straw in order to protect them from the sun, and 

 sudden changes through the winter : this finishes the labour 

 of the Grapery for this season. 



1842. Uncovering the Vines. — The vines'were uncovered 

 the third week in April, and probably washed over with a 



VOL. XII NO. X. 49 



