1868 . ] 
AERIAL ROOTS UPON VINES. 
173 
composition of made borders must be more thoroughly studied in order to 
encourage those small rootlets which drink less and carve more than do 
those fat spongiolets. 
Wynnstay. P. Middleton. 
’HE presence of these roots is due solely to atmospheric heat and 
moisture, and the border in which they are planted has but little to 
do with their formation. In a vinery at this place the old Vines 
are planted in a border outside the house, and not being altogether 
in a satisfactory condition, I determined to plant some young Vines 
to replace the old ones without removing them at present—there being 
sufficient room in the front part of the house to make a border between the 
hot-water pipes, and the front wall, inside the house. The young Vines were 
planted in January, 1867, and made excellent growth the following season. 
When the old Vines are removed it is intended to turn arches in the wall 
and renew the border on the outside. The border inside in which the young 
Vines are planted is situated above the level of the floor of the house, and 
consequently is not subject to great variation of temperature. Notwith¬ 
standing this difference of position in which the roots of the young and old 
Vines are placed, both produce air roots in the same ratio. I have also 
seen instances of Vines in pots being started at the same time and in the 
same house as those planted in an outside border, and each alike producing 
air roots. That some varieties of Vines emit them more freely than others 
may be regarded as a constitutional tendency, for it is well known to every 
practical man, that some varieties of different plants emit roots much more 
freely than others under similar circumstances. 
Somerley Gardens. IT. Chilman. 
)N early vineries where ventilation is sparingly permitted, and especially 
where a quantity of young plants are brought forward early in the 
season, the Vines will frequently be found to emit rootlets, more or 
less, according to circumstances; whereas in others started later in 
the season, from their being more freely exposed to light and air, 
the Vines may be found comparatively free. The early Grapes here are 
produced from pot Vines (generally of the preceding year’s growth from 
eyes); they are started in a pit with bottom heat, and are afterwards placed 
on a stone stage over hot-water pipes, along the back of a Pine stove, which 
has short back lights. The situation would seem to be favourable, as they 
are generally very healthy, producing fine crops of good fruit; but even 
here some rootlets are found; and I have observed, that if we chance to 
have a two-year-old Vine amongst them, the wood of which ought to be if any¬ 
thing the harder and riper, that it throws out aerial roots quite as freely 
