66 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



unhealthy. "When these 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 weU 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, add one part half-decayed stable- 

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

 whole into a ridge to lie for a few months. Mean- 

 time, 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 vege- 

 table fibre, an element so much wanting in old garden- 

 soil. This should also be thrown into ridges to lie 

 and partially decompose for a few months. Then it 



