THE GRAPE VINE. 53 



walls. In Switzer's 'Practical Fruit-Grower' there is 

 to be found the first plan of a vinery, with directions for 

 forcing grapes under glass. As a branch of horticulture 

 grape-growing under glass has certainly more than kept 

 pace with any other, both in its general diffusion and its 

 improvement, until it may be looked upon as of national 

 importance. 



SITE FOE VINEEIES. 



There are two extremes of circumstances which are 

 inimical to the most successful culture of the grape vine, 

 and these are considerably dependent on the site where 

 vineries are erected. A low damp position, into which 

 the water in its immediate vicinity finds its way, and 

 from which it cannot be drained to the depth of at least 

 3 feet, should be avoided ; for stagnant water is ruinous 

 to vines, and such a site may be regarded as the very worst. 

 An elevated, excessively dry site, with a gravelly sub- 

 soil which suffers very soon and severely from drought, 

 should also be avoided if possible, as excessive drought 

 is also very unfavourable to the production of fine grapes. 

 A site sloping gently to the south, from which water can 

 be effectually drained, is the best, and should always be 

 chosen when available. Shelter from north and east 

 winds is also of importance. But the sheltering objects 

 should never be so near the vinery as to prove injurious 

 by their shade. "When vine-borders have from neces- 

 sity to be made near large growing trees, an effectual 

 barrier — such as a brick and cement wall — should be 

 provided against the inroads of the tree-roots. 



