35 
would be an excellent compost, and it would be a good plan 
to coat the surface over, (if not paved,) with a very dark soil, in 
order to aid in the accumulation of heat. On propagation, 
training, &c., I will speak in due course. 
258 The Vine. The cultivation of the Vine, out of doors, can 
only be expected to succeed in the southern portions of the 
kingdom; and there only with good management, and in warm 
situations. I need scarcely observe, that a south aspect is 
almost indispensable. Certainly even an east or west aspect will 
sometimes be found to answer, providing there is, as observed 
with regard to the Apricot, a fire behind it; such cases however 
are not frequent. Much depends on a proper mode of training 
and “stopping,” which I will again advert to in its proper place. 
With regard to soil, one of a light and sandy character will be 
found the best. These soils, although “poor” as it is termed, 
in comparison with adhesive loams, are quite sufBcient for the 
cultivation of Vines out of doors, in Britain, and if they fail it 
will assuredly not be for lack of nourishment, providing they 
have a tolerably free range at the root. As to depth, however, 
great moderation should be observed ; and the platform mode, 
described previously for Pears, will do extremely well for the 
Vine. The most important item with regard to their safe and 
successful culture, consists in the adopting of a thorough drain- 
age, without which all other preparations will be found of little 
effect. Borders, for Vines out of doors, should be formed 
considerably above the surface of the ground; one-half of the 
volume of soil should, if possible, be above the level of the 
adjacent ground. 
Mr. Hoare, who has written on Vine culture, recommends a 
compost of old mortar, pounded bones, and charcoal, without, I 
believe, a particle of soil. That they may be grown in such, 
under peculiar circumstances of culture, I do not doubt; but I 
should pause before I ventured to recommend such a course to 
the amateur. It will be well, however, to take a leaf out of Mr. 
Hoare ’s book; for although the Apple pie could not be made 
entirely of Quinces, yet one or two impart a generous flavour. 
1 have no doubt that at least half of the volume of compost, for 
the Vine border, may be composed of Mr. Hoare ’s materials, 
with the best effect. However, to simplify the matter, a fine 
sandy loam, with a sprinkling of fresh stable litter, on a sound 
!258. AUCTARIU.M. 
