THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



the formation of the border, supposing all other circumstances 

 to combine in their favor. 



Vines will succeed in a soil that has a gravelly or dry bot- 

 tom, and in other respects neither too rich, nor too strong, 

 although vines will grow more luxuriantly, and produce larger 

 fruit, in soils of a richer description, and for this reason, we are 

 at much pains in preparing vine borders for such vines as are to 

 be forced or grown in a vinery ; yet, for such as are to be cul- 

 tivated on the open walls or espaliers, we are convinced, from 

 experience, that rather poor, or at all events light soils, are 

 preferable. The gi-eater part of the vineyards of France, 

 says an intelligent horticulturist, are on a soil {argil-calca- 

 rcous), sometimes 2^ri?nitwe, as those near Dijon : and some- 

 times secoudari/, as those at Bourdcaux. Argillaceous gra- 

 vel is the next in frequency, as near Nismes and Montpelier, 

 and that which produces the Vin des Graves of Bourdeaux. 

 The excellent wines of Anjou are made from vines grov/ing 

 among schistous rocks. Wines, such as are made from vines 

 planted in chalky soils, are weak, colorless, and do not keep 

 so well as those of Champagne. Vines grown on the ashes 

 discharged from volcanoes are excellent, as those of Vesuvius 

 and Etna. Retentive clays are the worst soils for vines, the 

 flowers are in a great part abortive ; the fruit, if it sets, does 

 not ripen ; the shoots not ripening wtU are more easily afTccted 

 by frosts; and the wine, if any can be made, is weak and 

 worthless." 



We have many instances of vines growing out of old walls, 

 among lime-rubbish, and in almost pure gravel, producing ex- 

 cellent crops, and ripening their fruit, while others growing 

 in rich soil, although much more luxuriant, and equally fruit- 

 ful, do not ripen at all. This is, probably, carrying the merits 

 of a poor soil to the extreme ; it proves however, to us, that 

 tlie drier and lighter the soil is for vines on the open walls, 

 the more likely are thoy to ripen their fruit, and this is the 

 chief object to be aimed at. Therefore, in preparing any part 

 of a border for vines, a light soil upon a perfectly dry bottom 

 is necessary to their ultimate success. 



Figs will succeed in any tolerably light garden-mould, where 

 tlie bottom is not wet. In preparing any part of a border for 



