CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 107 



growth, to the sacrifice of quality. In such rich borders, 

 another difficulty occurs: the vine is inclined to make 

 wood rather than fruit. This is much more true of some 

 varieties, e.g. the Concord, than of others. The Dela- 

 ware, and such other kinds as are short-jointed, prolific, 

 and of moderate growth, will allow, and even require, a 

 rich soil. If, then, the purpose is to give special advan- 

 tages to one or more vines for table-fruit, as the first step, 

 see that the sub-soil is well drained. Then add a suffi- 

 cient quantity of friable pasture sod to increase the depth 

 of surface-loam to eighteen inches : to this add six inches 

 of stable-manure, and about a bushel of bone-dust, to a 

 square rod of border. If the soil is inclined to be heavy 

 and retentive, add pure sand ; or, if sand is in excess, add 

 a moderate quantity of clay, and perhaps well-decom- 

 posed vegetable soil. But peat and meadow-muck are 

 not desirable additions to such a soil as may be called a 

 good garden or pasture loam. To such a loam, six inches 

 of manure will be quite a sufficient supply of vegetable 

 matter. In such rich borders, special care is necessary 

 that they do not become too heavy, and retentive of moist- 

 ure. 



An addition of lime will be beneficial in correcting this 

 tendency, and will also be of service, both as food for the 



