THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
81 
one of the ends, and train it towards that end. By that means each 
vine will have its proper space, which would not be the case if the 
third vine was put exactly in the middle. When there is room 
enough for four vines, let one be planted at each end, one exactly 
iu the centre, and one half-way between the middle and one of the 
end vines. It is quite unnecessary to make borders in the same 
manner as borders for houses are made ; but it will be beneficial 
to the vines if a few barrowsful of turfy loam, and a barrowful of 
lime-rubbish, and the same quantity of horse-droppings, are dug 
in where the vines are to be planted. Soil that is undrained, and 
of a cold and retentive character, is quite unfit for vines ; and, 
unless it is possible to raise the border in which they are to be 
grown partly above the surface, it will not be of much use to plant 
them ; for, in unfavourable seasons, there will be a great difficulty 
in securing good crops. 
The ground vineries should be placed upon four or five courses 
of bricks laid upon a level surface, so that there will not be much 
danger of their sinking. The vines will then have sufficient head- 
room, and there will be an abundance of space for the development 
of the foliage. The vines may be allowed to lay upon a floor of 
slates ; but it will be preferable to tt-aiu the canes to wires fixed 
about six inches below the lower edge of the glass. One wire to 
each vine will do ; but, as the expense is trifling, it is preferable to 
have three or four wires, stretched parallel to each other at regular 
distances apart, for the better regulation of the lateral growth, and 
the support of the branches. Strips of wood will do as well as 
wires, except that they will not last so long. 
In erecting the side walls — which can be built with or without 
moitar, at discretion — a few openings, just large enough for a half- 
brick, should be left for ventilation purposes. As a rule, the air 
should be admitted at the tops, for cold currents of air are not 
desirable ; but occasions may occur for ventilating at the sides, and 
it is always well to be prepared for emergencies. 
The best sorts of grapes for ground vineries are the Royal Mus- 
cadine (white) ; Black Hambur'gh (black) ; and Kempsey Alicante 
(black). Select vines struck from eyes a twelvemonth since, which 
can now be purchased for about three shillings and sixpence, and 
prune them ^to within about three buds of the base. As soon as 
the border is prepared, plant them in the manner indicated above. 
In turning them out of the pots, remove the crocks, and loosen the 
roots round the outside of the ball of soil, to facilitate their striking 
into the new soil immediately they begin to move iu the spring. 
To encourage the production of roots from the base of the stem, 
bury about two inches of the rod. It must be distinctly understood 
that, even if the canes are of a considerable size now, they must be 
cut back ; for if they are lefc unpruned, with a view of obtaining a 
cro ) of grapes the first summer after they are planted, a loss of one 
year at least will be the result ; for the lateral shoots will be so 
weak, that no fruit worth having will be produced, and, at the 
winter pruning, it will be necessary to prune back the vine to nearly 
the ground level, for the purpose of obtaining a cane full of health 
March. 6 
