THE VINE 



227 



top-dressings, until the end of the fifth year, when 2 feet more should be added 

 both inside and out. The next and last enlargement of the border two years 

 after should make it complete, say 9 feet wide outside and 8 feet inside. This 

 extent of border I consider quite large enough to meet all requirements. 



Before I leave the subject of enlarging borders, I should like to say, that if 

 the vine roots had made good progress the quantity of new soil recommended 

 would not be too much ; on the other hand, if their progress had been poor, then 

 less new soil would suffice. It will be observed that in the composition of the 

 border I have refrained from recommending the use of artificial or organic 

 manures. These are not necessary. There is nothing better than loam (with 

 the additional material at first mentioned) ; when, however, the border is full 

 of roots and the vines are in active growth and carrying heavy crops, the help 

 of manure is of vital importance. 



Watering.— In considering this subject, it must not be forgotten that we 

 are dealing with artificially constructed borders, 

 so well drained that water passes through them 

 very freely. The vine border should never be 

 allowed to become dry. The borders of early 

 vineries started on the ist of November must 

 have a thorough soaking of warm clear water 

 a week or so before the house is closed and 

 before the borders have been top-dressed. 

 They need not be watered again until the 

 buds are about to burst into growth, when 

 weak manure water from the stableyard, and 

 warmed, should be given. The next watering 

 must be given before the vines come into 

 flower, and this time weak guano water — by 

 this I mean a handful of guano to three gallons 

 of warm water. If the roots extend to the 

 outside border, this also is watered before the 

 house is closed and before being covered for 

 the winter. There is nothing gained by 

 watering the outside border again until the 

 berries are swelling, say towards the end of February or the beginning 

 of March, when the covering should be taken ofF and a good soaking of 

 diluted manure water from the stableyard given. Afterwards the covering 

 must be replaced until all danger of frost is over. Early in May the border 

 being exposed to the influence of the sun and air will quickly dry, and 

 should receive water as frequently as the inside one. This must again 

 receive manure water as soon as the berries have formed. From this time (say 

 May) until the crop is ripe, it is safe to say that water should be given every 

 ten days or a fortnight, and the manure varied with each watering, always 

 bearing in mind not to apply artificial manure in strong doses. If farmyard 

 liquid manure is to be had, I would always use this twice as often as an artificial 

 fertiliser. I have never seen harm follow the use of even an overdose of this, as 



Spur Pkopeely Pruned 



{y) Shoot that has borne fruit cut away 

 altogether ; (z) shoot that has not 

 produced fruit cut back to two buds. 



