244 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ November, 
arguments,” says a friend, who lias accidentally grown ‘ a big bunch,’ but 
does not exactly know how the accident happened, and so falls back upon 
his exalted self for praise and congratulation, “ but I wish to have more 
particulars, as general ideas do not convey the necessary instructions how 
to proceed. I should wish to be informed what good well-drained soil 
means, and how the remaining contingencies to success are to be brought 
to bear on the progressive crop.” 
A good border is an essential attribute to the growth of fine fruit. It 
should be so arranged that water cannot by any accident remain and 
become stagnant about the roots, causing the putrefaction of those parts, 
shanking in the bunches, and the consequent want of colouring or flavour 
in the berries. To effect this, it is necessary that a drain should be cut 
8 or 10 feet from the front of the vinery, 5 feet deep, and that the bottom 
of the border should be so formed and concreted as to convey the superfluous 
moisture to that drain, which should carry it to a cesspool or larger drain. 
The border should be composed of one-tliird fresh horse manure, and the 
remainder good fresh loam from a pasture, the first layer being placed with 
the turf downwards on the concrete. The remaining portions of the compost 
should be well trenched and mixed together, raising the border to 14 foot 
above the intended level, so as to allow for settling. 
Planting a new Vine border presents no difficulties to a practised hand. 
It is only necessary to procure the number of plants of the sorts required, 
and to take out trenches in the border 6 or 8 inches deep, and after intro¬ 
ducing the rods through the apertures, to lay out the roots in the trenches 
in such a manner that they may take advantage of the soil prepared for 
them. It is the best plan to have those apertures as near the ground as 
possible, if the Vines are introduced from the front; but if the vinery is so 
constructed that the ground level at the back is on the same level as the 
top of the back wall, provision must be made for introducing them through 
or near the apertures intended for ventilation, and the rods may be trained 
down the rafters instead of in the usual way. The system of training Vine 
rods down the rafters instead of up, proves very successful when but one 
or two rods are required from each Vine. Some of the most productive 
vineries within a short distance of where I write are trained in this way ; 
.and as no parts of the plants are exposed either to the external atmosphere, 
or to the direct influence of the liot-water pipes within, they succeed 
admirably, and produce much shorter-jointed wood than when allowed to 
follow a more natural course. 
Vineries should be so constructed that the whole of the front row of 
lights as well as those at the back should open. Suspending those lights 
on hinges, and providing leverage to open them, is a good plan, as it 
facilitates the operation. Additional means of ventilation should also be 
