14 COVERINGS FOR BORDERS. 



cliamber tlie pipes occupy, from which a drain should 

 be laid down to remove it at once. But where bottom 

 heat is not so applied, and where the subsoil is of a 

 cold, wet, ferruginous clay or gravel, it must be well 

 drained, so as to prevent the rise of spring water, and 

 to remove all the rain water that percolates through 

 the border. This done, a layer of concrete, 4 inches in 

 depth, should be laid over the whole surface of the 

 intended bed of the border, taking care that it has 

 a slope of 1 inch in the foot towards the front, where 

 there should be a good drain to draw off all water that 

 finds its way to that point from the surface of the con- 

 crete, and from the drains under it. On the concrete, 

 as well as on the pavement, when the latter is used, 

 a layer of 4 inches of rough brick - rubbish should be 

 spread, then a course of turf with the grassy side down- 

 wards, after which the compost may be wheeled in to 

 form the border. Where the subsoil is honest clay or 

 clear gravel,, concrete is not necessary. No rule can be 

 laid down for width of borders ; I think it is ample if 

 the width outside the house is the same as that inside. 

 The depth inside should be 3 feet ; immediately outside, 

 in front of house, 2i feet ; and at the extremity, 2 feet. 

 A border formed to these dimensions will have a con- 

 siderable declination towards the south, which will 

 enable it to throw off the winter rains better, and during 

 summer it will receive more benefit from the sun's rays 

 than when flatter. 



COVERINGS FOR BORDERS. 



This is a matter of much importance, especially in 

 the case of early-forced vines. Where the border is 

 heated by hot-water pipes from beneath, all that is 



