272 
THE AMATEUR’S KITCHEN GARDEN. 
tions for the production of outdoor grapes, because of the 
great height of the walls and the large surface they present 
for the development of the growth. They should therefore be 
turned to account for that purpose, especially as it can be 
done without any sacrifice of appearance, for the grape vine 
is beautiful in summer, and not unsightly in winter. 
The construction of the border is second only in import- 
ance to the selection of the aspect. The border should be 
about eight feet wide, and three feet deep ; if the situation is 
cold and wet, it should be elevated above the surrounding 
level, and the soil kept in its place by a neat nine-inch wall. 
The soil should be excavated to a depth of four feet, if the 
border is to be entirely below the level, and a layer of rough 
stones or brickbats, twelve or fifteen inches in thickness put 
in the bottum. The space can then be filled with three parts 
turfy loam, one part horse droppings, and one part lime 
_ rubbish. There is, of course, no 
objection to the use of bones, 
but they are too expensive to 
be employed in borders for out- 
door vines. It is not, of course, 
necessary to have the borders 
entirely below or above the sur- 
face, but they may be partly 
above and partly below, accord- 
ing to the exigencies of the 
case. Even in dry, warm situa- 
tions no objection whatever 
exists to their being elevated 
entirely above the general 
level. The drain to the low- 
est part of the border should connect with the main drains, 
to carry off the water which collects in it. If the natural 
soil is a deep fertile sandy loam, decidedly dry and warm, 
there is no necessity for a prepared border for outdoor vines. 
Plant in the natural soil and be content. 
Grape vines in pots can be planted at almost any time, but 
October is the best month in which to plant vines taken up 
from the open border. The manner of planting when the 
vines are intended to cover the walls of a dwelling-house is 
clearly shown in the figure, and when they are planted in the 
manner indicated, the whole of the wall space can be covered 
ij 
►j 
SOIL. 
DRAINAGE. 
BORDER EOR OUTDOOR VINES. 
