Training the Vine on Wires do'wtmards. 237 



physical constitution of a plant can be at no loss to conceive 

 how, in such unfavourable circumstances, the roots must 

 necessarily fail in doing their duty ; and must also be aware 

 that without the roots have time, and a suitable soil in which 

 to develope themselves, they must be incapable of yielding 

 such a supply of nourishment as the forced state of the head 

 requires. I am, Sir, &c. 



W. M. 

 East Ham, April 22. 1828. 



Art. XXII. On training the Vine on Wires downwards. By 

 Mr. John Haygroft, Gardener to the Lord Viscount 

 Doneraile, Doneraile. 



Sir, 



I MADE a communication, about twelve months since, to 

 the Horticultural Society, on the subject of training the 

 vine on wires downwards from the rafters (as practised by me 

 these sixteen years past), under the impression that the mode 

 originated with myself, having never seen or heard of it being 

 adopted before by any other person. In reply to this, I was 

 informed that they had received a communication to the same 

 effect before the receipt of mine, but this was not until twelve 

 years after I commenced on that system ; from which circum- 

 stance there is a great probability that a knowledge of it must 

 have passed through some one of the many young men who 

 have left me and gone to London since that period. 



As an illustration of the advantage attending the mode 

 in question, I beg to state that from one house, containing 

 seventeen rafters, I have produced 480 lb. weight of superior 

 fruit for the family, presents, &c. ; and if all the odd branches, 

 and what were lost by occasional thinning, were brought into 

 account, I have no hesitation in saying it would amount at 

 least to 5 cwt., which I am satisfied is more than double the 

 quantity I could ever procure from the old system of training 

 to the glass. 



I am, Sir, yours, &c. 



John Haycroft. 

 Doneraile, March, 1828. 



