THE VINE 243 



commercial vine grower does not often use ^-inch or larger bones, as a quicker 

 return is possible from more soluble bone-meal. Moreover, cultivators do not 

 so much rely on the depth and richness of soil as upon frequent top-dressings, 

 thus encouraging the roots near the surface. The drainage of a border is very 

 important, and it must be of such a nature as not to allows stagnation, or so free 

 as to permit the border to be much wreakened. The practice of the future 

 will probably be towards shallower borders, i.e. not exceeding 2 feet 6 inches 

 in depth. 



" Other plants are nearly always grown in the houses until the vines come 

 into bearing, and at the present time tomato culture is largely practised. The 

 grower, therefore, as well as raising young vines ready for the spring, must 

 arrange for having tomato plants ready also. If it were not possible while 

 the vines are growing to tide over the first two years with other crops in the 

 houses, it would be much more difficult than it is to establish a vineyard under 

 glass. The young vines properly grown should be about 2 feet high by the 

 middle of May, and then is a good time to plant them in the border which has 

 been prepared for them. At the time of planting bone-meal is a good dressing 

 to mix with the soil, and short manure should be used as a mulching on the 

 top. They will require careful and constant attention until they make new 

 roots, and abundance of clear water during the growing season through Jtine, 

 July, and August. By the end of August growth ought to be discouraged, and 

 the vine led more to develop the wood already made. When vines are strong 

 at planting time, and given liberal treatment through their first year, they 

 sometimes grow 20 and even 25 feet long. Indeed, I have seen vines cropped 

 the first year after planting bearing 10 lbs. of fruit. But this is not wise where 

 the establishment of permanent vines is intended, as the loss of vigour can be 

 noted in such vines for years afterwards. 



" There is one aspect in vine culture that requires careful weighing from its 

 commercial side, and that is the question of extension v. restriction. I am bound 

 to say that the extension system of culture affords in the end far better results. 

 How often it occurs to one that our mechanically constructed houses impose 

 restriction even on vines treated under what is called the extension system. 

 When a vine attains the age of four years, it would easily, with benefit to its 

 health and wealth, double itself in one season if the structure which covers it 

 could be enlarged there and then. Constitution is the chief thing to strive for 

 in cultivating the vine, and this leads to the thought of fertilisers for the vine. 

 First get constitution, and then we may proceed to intense culture. The 

 many artificially compounded mixtures recommended as concentrated food 

 for the vine are mostly very well suited for it, and for some localities they 

 may even be perfect ; but where localities differ so much in the character of 

 their soil and other conditions, universally to apply one mixture would be 

 folly. 



" It is difficult conscientiously to give a rosy aspect generally to the business 

 of grape-growing under the conditions as they are at present, and I cannot 

 fairly estimate that in the future there is any likelihood of a rise in the price of 

 grapes. No doubt there will be always good and, indeed, remunerative prices 



