THE GRAPE VINE. 6"] 



materials have been all put together, turn the heap over 

 at least twice before wheeling it into its place. As it 

 should be dry, it may be firmly beaten with the back 

 of a fork, or even gently trodden with the feet. But 

 it should never be either mixed or wheeled when in a 

 wet sodden state. To allow for its subsiding, it may 

 be filled in 6 inches higher than the ultimate level. 



Being well aware that there are many who may be 

 desirous of growing grapes who cannot possibly get 

 the top spit from an old pasture, and although 

 this is recommended as the best soil, I am far from 

 wishing to convey the impression that such is indis- 

 pensable to the production of very fair crops of grapes. 

 Wherever ordinarily good garden-soil is at command, 

 there is no reason why grape-growing should not be 

 attempted and attended with considerable success. Let 

 it be supposed that the bulk of the border has to be 

 composed of ordinary garden-soil, tolerably rich with 

 humus, or vegetable matter in a state of decay, common 

 to most garden-soils where vegetables have been grown. 

 Take six parts of this as the base of the composition, 

 mix with it a full cart-load of half-decayed stable- 

 litter, mixing it well with the soil, and forming the 

 whole into a ridge to lie for a few months. Meantime, 

 if possible, collect as much of the tough turfy vegetation 

 which generally abounds by the sides of old highways 

 and roads — on to which the road- drift or scrapings 

 have been washed for years — as will form about the 

 fourth of the bulk required for the border. Such 

 accumulations are generally one mass of vegetable 

 fibre, an element so nnich wanting in old garden-soil. 

 This should also be thrown into ridges to lie and 

 partially decompose for a few months. Then it can bo 



