1868. ] 
ON THE AERATION OF VINE BORDERS. 
153 
in ordinary seasons, if the trees are but well attended to the previous year, 
there is no fear of having fair crops—not heavy crops, for heavy crops one 
year are almost invariably succeeded by a failing crop the following season. 
All suckers not wanted should be kept removed from Raspberries; and as 
Strawberries go out of bearing, the runners should be all removed, and 
the soil between the rows forked up, and well watered. 
Stourton. M. Saul. 
ON THE AERATION OF VINE BORDERS. 
iLTHOUGrH much discussion has taken place on the cultivation of 
the Vine and the making of Vine borders, I do not think that the 
aeration of Vine borders has received that degree of consideration 
which it deserves. It has been disparaged by some, and set aside by 
others, as a system far too expensive for general use; and I have 
been told that the placing of heated pipes directly under the borders would 
be certain to dry up the soil, and destroy the roots. In practice I have 
proved these ideas to be vague and delusory; and having for the last ten 
years had the management of one of the largest and most completely- 
heated Vine borders in the kingdom, and having during that time been fre¬ 
quently asked for my opinion, I have great pleasure in recording my ex¬ 
perience, in the hope of being able to point out a few of the many ad¬ 
vantages to be derived from the aeration of Vine borders. We must 
take into consideration the fact, that the Vine is not indigenous to Europe, 
but of a warmer climate, and hence arises the necessity in artificially cul¬ 
tivating it in our unpropitious climate, of maintaining as far as possible a 
healthy and vigorous state of root action, which however essential, is but 
too often lost sight of in general practice. 
In the heated borders above referred to, each house is separately warmed 
by hot-water pipes in chambers, beneath the border, wdiich is raised above 
the surrounding ground level. Troughs are placed on the pipes, so that 
they may be readily supplied with water from a tap when required, by 
which means, and by a due regard to ventilation, a genially moist atmo¬ 
sphere is maintained under the roots; and this is admitted to the house 
through ventilators, so that we secure a free circulation of heated air in 
the house during the coldest weather. 
It is well to apply a slight bottom heat for a fortnight or so previous 
to using top heat. By this means the roots are brought at once into action, 
and, consequently, there is a better adjustment of the vital force. The 
temperature of the border is so regulated, as to correspond with the mean 
temperature of the house. This I have found to be a good and safe guide 
towards insuring the greatest amount of success. These observations, as 
to the relative adjustment of heat, should be carefully borne in mind, for 
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