162 THE GEAPE CULTUEI8T. 



be plaated very near together ; if so, then it may be neces- 

 sary to make the border six or eight feet wide. , 



When the border is first made, it should be a few inches 

 above the level of the surrounding surface-soil, as it will 

 usually settle, and frequently require a considerable addi- 

 tion of soil to prevent it being too low. If the border wa 

 made only level with the surface of the garden, when it 

 settled it would carry the vines down with it, and when 

 filled up, the roots of the vines would be buried too deep. 

 When an outlet can be secured, either into some hoUow or 

 sewer, it is well to lay a drain along the bottom at one 

 side of the border. This drain may be made of tile, brick, 

 or stone, and should descend at least one foot in a hundred 

 to secure the rapid passage of the water. 



Drains made of stone should be covered with sods, straw, 

 wood shavings, or some similar materials, before the trench 

 is filled, as these will prevent the fine soil entering and fill- 

 ing it up. In wet and heavy soils it is a great point gained 

 to secure a thorough and permanent drainage. 



The materials used in* malung the border may be the 

 same as are used in the vineyard, but as they are not 

 always to be had, others may be used, avoiding always all 

 fresh unfermented manures. If old manures can not he 

 had, make the border entirely of soil, and if clayey, add 

 sand ; use ground bones and charcoal to put around the 

 roots when first planted, and then apply the fresh manure 

 to the surface, forking it in after it has become rotted. A 

 little Ume, plaster, or ashes may be added to the border, 

 but not in any great quantity, as there is more danger of 

 applying too much of such materials than too little. There 

 is usually an abundance of materials about a city or village 

 that may be used for manure, but most of them should be 

 used with caution, as it is difiicult to determine what in- 

 jurious ingredients they may contain. It is much the 

 safest way to use stable manure, when it can be had, or in 

 place of it, ground bones, poudrette, etc., adding sods, 



