CULTURE OF THE VINE. 3 



height, the necessary calculations for the depth required to render 

 it so must be made before the foundation of the border is com- 

 menced, and the ground should be prepared accordingly, always 

 remembering to preserve from the beginning the proper declivity, 

 not less than eighteen inches from the house to the front of the 

 border, and to have the surface of the ground quite smooth 

 before laying the foundation over it, which must be done as 

 follows : — Spread concrete to the depth of four inches, and when 

 sufficiently hard, upon that put eight inches of brickbats; and 

 next form a drain, extending along the front edge of the border, 

 to receive and carry off all superfluous moisture. Having com- 

 pleted this portion of the process, place two layers of sods, each 

 to be about fourteen inches long, one foot wide, and six or seven 

 inches thick ; cut from pasture which has been lying undisturbed 

 for some years, and which ought to be of a fibrous, rich, loamy 

 substance ; not too retentive of moisture, but yet of that adhesive 

 nature termed " strong loam." The great recommendation is for 

 the soil to contain much of the fibrous matter, for the twofold 

 reason, that it prevents the soil from becoming sodden, as well 

 as giving nourishment to the vine-roots, as the grass and other 

 vegetable matters decay. It is not, however, possible at all times 

 to follow out this rule, as every locality has its own peculiar soil, 

 varying in density and colour ; therefore much must be left to the 

 judgment of the cultivator. Arrange each sod with the grass-side 

 downwards, for the hollow spaces formed between the layers, as 

 well as assisting the drainage, will prove beneficial to the roots. 

 The remaining depth of the border should be filled up with the 

 following compost : — two parts of rough turfy loam, similar in 

 quality to the sods placed below, and cut in pieces two or three 

 inches square ; one part of well-decomposed farm-yard manure, 

 and the remaining fourth part composed of equal quantities of 

 droppings from the sheep-fold and leaf-mould; let all be well 

 mixed together, adding a little sand if the loam be deficient of it. 

 Choose a dry time for preparing the whole, as much depends on 

 its being well mixed in good working order. When it is thus 



B 2 



