GRiPE. 213 



there is the least risk of being annoyed by super- 

 fluous water. 



The vine delights in a dryj porous soil. Fresh 

 light hazel loam, mixed with lime rubbish, leaf- 

 mould, and a small portion of well-decayed old hot- 

 bed dung, w^ill be found as suitable a compost as can 

 be used. Road sand, that is, the scrapings of the 

 public roads, is an excellent ingredient in Uie com- 

 position of a vine border; and where the whole soil 

 of a garden is heavy, that is, strong loam or clay, the 

 best application for its amelioration is road sand ; 

 rendering it fit for vines, or any other tree or crop. 



The author has observed the vine to prosper ex- 

 ceedingly even in pretty strong loams resting on 

 brick-earth (a kind of sandy clay). In the fine soils 

 of thits description about Brompton, Fulham, and 

 Hammersmith, as fine crops of grapes are produced 

 on walls, in the open air, as need be desired. It is 

 true, that the vines in those places are particularly 

 well trained and managed ; but the author is confident 

 the same' results would follow anywhere else, under 

 the same circumstances of soil and management. 



There is, in fact, no description of soil but what 

 may be made fit for the culture of the vine; indeed, 

 from what we see of it crammed up in any corner of 

 a paved court-yard, or stuck in among gravel, pitch- 

 ing, or brick-bats, it may be averred of this tree, 

 that it is the least fastidious of any other in its choice 

 of soil, provided it be sufficiently porous and dry. 

 Under a surface bed of gravel we know it does well ; 

 and as to the depth of soil for the spread of the roots, 



