6i THE CULTUEE OF THE GEAPE. 



keep it open, and plenty of wlaole bones and a little car- 

 rion to make it durable. — A Suhscriher." 1847, p. 83Y. 



Benovation of Vine Borders. — After stating that these 

 must be legion, (if we may judge by the number of com- 

 plaints,) which require this remedy, and that the cause 

 mainly is stagnation, it is recommended to enlarge or re- 

 new the drains, which are supposed to be inefficient or 

 improperly arranged, or to have become choked up by 

 age. There is added : " ISTow even a border made of 

 loam, — unless what is termed sandy loam, — if two or 

 three feet in depth, would become in time too much 

 closed up to suit the natural habits of the vine ; how 

 much more, then, a tbree-feet-deep border, in which de- 

 composing organic matter constitutes nearly one half its 

 volume ! Every body knows that this black and fatty 

 humus, — for such it becomes by age, — does not, in its 

 own nature, contain sand sufficient to ensure at all times 

 a speedy transmission of moisture, and to secure permear 

 bility to the atmosphere, especially if buried nearly a 

 yard in depth." 



Here follow directions for introducing drains, and holes 

 filled with open " rubbly matter," &c., and then this ad- 

 vice : " After these things are accomplished, it would 

 be well to fork in a dressing composed of lime rubbish, 

 charcoal, coarse sand, bones, &c., on the surface, not go- 

 ing deeper than six inches, unless there are no roots in 

 the way. Finally, the border may be coated over with 

 three inches of manure from the stable door, if to spare. 

 This, however, should only lie from JSTovember until 

 midsummer ; it might then be removed, and an inch or 



