THE BEST SOIL FOK VINE BORDERS. 14? 



climate the roots of the Vine under control as respects moisture. 

 Another point gained by concreting is the additional heat the border 

 gains by the absorption of solar heat. I have proved frequently that a 

 border, concreted as I have described, obtains an increase, at twelve 

 inches deep, of from twelve to fifteen degrees, and even more during 

 hot sunshine. This increase of heat on the surface of the border -will 

 have the efieet of causing that part of the border to be the dampest, as 

 it will be the warmest ; the roots accordingly will be more numerous 

 immediately under the concrete, and precisely in that position most 

 favourable for their healthy development. An additional advantage of 

 the concrete is its preventing the border becoming compact, from 

 , walking over it, and consequently its porosity is preserved. I say 

 nothing of the disadvantage ascribed to it, from its supposed prevention 

 of atmospheric air to the border, because I believe the thing impossible ; 

 and on the principles described above, air has access at all times under- 

 neath the border, if it is required, which I believe it is not. It certainly 

 looks somewhat unsightly during summer, but a few pots of flowering 

 plants set on it during summer, and a slight coat of Fern or thatch 

 during winter will do away with its formal appearance.'' 



This plan of concreting the surface is, as wiU have been seen, intended 

 to increase the temperature of the Vine border. In order to secure all 

 the advantages of the method without any disadvantages, it seems 

 essential that the border should rest upon rough materials, so put 

 together that air can readily find its way upward through them into 

 the border. Mr. Spencer's border rests on rough paving-stones raised 

 on rough walls, and is then connected with the external air or with 

 that of the Vinery itself. Under such circumstances, air will find its 

 way to the roots more readily than by any other known method ; and 

 thus the conditions demanded in a perfect Vine border, viz., warmth, 

 dryness in winter, and damp in summer, vrith permeabUity at all 

 seasons, are perfectly fulfilled. That the raising the border on a 

 vaulted bottom is of very great value, concrete or no concrete, is 

 admitted by the best Gfrape growers. Mr. Hutchinson's borders at 

 Castle Malgwyn are so managed ; and the early houses at Trentham, 

 built under Mr. Fleming's direction, have borders of the same kind. 

 We would not, however, be understood to say that these contrivances 

 are at alL times necessary. On the contrary, when soil and situation 

 are naturally suitable to the Vine, very fine Grapes are obtained 

 without any such aids. The important point is, how to deal with this 

 valuable fruit-tree when, as so often happens in Great Britain, the soil 

 and situation are unfavourable ; and that can be only accomplished by 

 securing a sufficient amount of bottom heat, 



Mr. Reid, of Balcarras, has shown that one of the causes of 

 canker and immature fruit, even in orchards, is the coldness of 



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