"214 Gardening Under Glass 



oyster shells if they can be secured. From this 

 drainage to the surface there should be from two 

 and one half to three feet of soil. If possible 

 cut a tough sod and lay over the drainage, grass 

 side down. Then make up the border. 



Vines are not particular as to soil, although 

 the best medium loam obtainable is recom- 

 mended. A sod ploughed up from an old pas- 

 ture can be hauled direct to the border. Farm- 

 yard manure often used to enrich the soil is of 

 short duration and has a tendency to sour the 

 border; however, proper supplies of food most 

 be introduced. Good bone is one of the main- 

 stays in a grape border, and for the bottom of 

 the border coarse bone from an inch to four 

 inches; using a finer grade toward the surface. 

 The borders should not be made too rich. Many 

 vines have been destroyed by the use of too much 

 food in the soil. It is an easy matter to surface- 

 feed when the vines are in condition to take up 

 the food. A border made up of good sod land 

 with perfect drainage will keep in good condition 

 for years. A sprinkling of hard wood ashes as 

 the border is made is a benefit. See that the 

 bone and wood ashes are properly distributed in 

 the border, which is an easy matter by starting 

 to make the borders a thin layer of sod, then 

 bones and ashes sprinkled in as the work goes 



