110 THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



causing stagnation in the flow of the sap ; and this diffi- 

 culty may be increased, and the spread of the evil pro- 

 moted, by various causes, — such as a poor border, general 

 weakness of the vines, overcropping, and chiefly by not 

 paying due care to the ventilation of the house. Where 

 the .person in charge of the grapery has command of ar- 

 tificial heat, by following, to the letter, all the directions 

 given by me for the culture of this fruit, ahd constantly 

 causing the temperature of the grapery to be as directed, 

 he will have little to apprehend from this trouble. 



If it is intended to plant vines, to be trained on the 

 back wall, the soil, on the inside of the house, must be 

 prepared, as directed for the border on the outside. 



If figs are to be planted, the same border is recom- 

 mended. 



Peaches do not require a rich border, and, for them, 

 the natural soil will be suitable. 



To improve a poorly made, or exhausted border, in a 

 house already built, where the vines do not succeed well, 

 the following process is recommended as best adapted to 

 cure the original defect : — 



In the sjpring, have the border covered with two or 

 three inches of lime rubbish, or oyster shells ; let this be 

 forked into, and well mixed with, the soil ; after this, 

 have the whole border covered, two feet deep, with fresh 

 stable manure, — the newer the better ; the object being 

 to cause a strong heat above the roots of the vine, thus 

 drawing them to the surface. This should remain on the 

 border two months, when it may be removed. It is pro- 

 bable, the young roots will have penetrated the border. 



