14 
HINTS FOR PROMOTING THE FERTILITY OF CLIMBERS. 
check on the ascent of the sap through peculiar modes of bending and training the 
shoots ; but these ought only to be regarded as auxiliaries, and not as a main 
dependence. The aphorism li Prevention is preferable to cure," should never be 
slighted ; for it is better at once to cut off the source, than to attempt to stop a 
flowing stream. 
A few months ago, Mr. Hoare, the well-known writer on the Vine, published 
a new system of managing the roots of that plant, which if not applicable in its 
widest sense to many climbing plants, may be applied in a modified degree with a 
reasonable assurance of success ; and to the consideration of this, we would now 
direct attention. 
Mr. Hoare 's method for the Vine is to construct compartments for each plant 
of bricks cemented together, and with a flooring of the same material, so as to 
prevent the roots from penetrating beyond them. These are filled entirely with 
equal proportions, well mingled together, of broken bricks, charcoal, lumps of 
mortar and bones, the three former generally in fragments about the size of a hen's 
egg, and well soaked in liquid manure for some time previous to use. Smaller or 
larger pieces may also be added ; this should be in some measure regulated by the 
size of the compartment ; and it is necessary that the whole be very compactly 
placed together. When this work is accomplished, they are covered up with 
bricks as before set in cement, with the exception of a space where they are left 
loose for the insertion of the plant, and the administration of fluid. 
The advantages claimed for this method, are, that it presents a continual 
source of food which is never in excess, or, at least, is so conditioned that the plants 
can rarely obtain an overabundant supply. The substances which afford it are 
always moist, but never wet, a state which necessarily renders them a much 
warmer medium than ordinary earths ; and whilst the roots of a plant are thus 
placed in a warmer temperature, they are also less liable to be affected by any 
occasional depression of the atmospheric temperature. 
The extensive absorbent powers, and the capability of retaining moisture 
possessed by brick and charcoal, must be well known to every scientific cultivator. 
The same powers are also in a large degree common to old decayed mortar ; hence 
when those materials have laid in urine, and are mixed together with a proportion 
of bones — which are in themselves a manure of the most lasting character, — a fund 
of nourishment is stored up which is almost exhaustless, and is represented to 
furnish means of nourishment and facilities for growth, beyond that which can be 
obtained from a much larger bulk of mere soil. 
Although this method is expressly intended by Mr. Hoare for the management 
of the Vine, we entertain little fear of the success of its application to many 
climbing plants with strong roots, which have hitherto been found very difficult to 
flower, or to restrain within moderate limits ; but we apprehend it will be 
necessary to employ a larger number of smaller fragments than is recommended for 
the Vine. 
