JANCARY. 
9 
years; but a border from. 3 to 4 feet deep, properly made on a well-drained 
bottom, will produce Grapes as good if not superior, and for a considerably 
greater number of years—a much more satisfactory state of things for a gar¬ 
dener than to be compelled to renew his borders after a few years’ bearing, a 
practice not uncommon at the present day. As to the soil best suited for pro¬ 
ducing good Grapes, on one point most cultivators are agreed, and that is, 
that the turf from an old pasture is an indispensable requisite. But turf varies 
in character according to the nature of the soil in every locality. The sub¬ 
stances of which soils consist are but few in number, but every practical man 
knows how very diversified they are in character. These differences arise from 
the different proportions in which sand, lime, clay, and the oxide of iron and 
organic matter have been mixed together. Almost all fertile soils contain a 
large quantity of silica, a portion of alumina, and various salts of lime, 
magnesia, potash, and soda. In making a Vine-border we can hardly err in 
using turf from a soil of this description, as it contains all the elements for 
building up the plant; and if it has been grazed by sheep it will contain a large 
quantity of organic matter, which is essentially necessary for the production of 
fine Grapes. A border made of turf of this description will not for a few 
years need much manure, as the organic matter which it contains, during its 
decay will, until exhausted, supply the M r ants of the Vine—and this shows the 
fallacy of making very shallow borders, for as soon as the organic matter is all 
decayed, the wants of the Vine, to produce good Grapes, must be supplied 
by top-dressings of manure, and by heavy waterings of liquid manure. And 
here I would observe that I regard the constant watering of Vine-borders 
—which becomes a necessity with shallow borders after a few years—as a very 
bad practice, as no matter how clear the liquid may be, it will ere long destroy 
the porosity and mechanical condition of the soil, and then farewell good 
Grape-growing. In making borders for Vines I prefer the turf from a good 
sandy loam—a dry bottom with thorough drainage I regard as indispensably 
necessary. I prefer a border from 3 to 4 feet deep to a shallower one, and I 
use good stable dung sparingly and crushed bones. A border made in this 
manner will for a great number of years yield fruit of very superior quality, 
provided the Vines are not forced ; and after the lapse of a number of years 
an occasional top-dressing of good rotten manure will enable the Vines to 
produce superior Grapes for almost any length of time. 
The Vine at Hampton Court is an instance of the longevity of the Vine in 
this country, and yet how rare are old Vines to be met with! What is the 
cause ? There are of course many localities where the soil is unfavourable to 
its growth and longevity, but there are also many places equally as favourable 
as Hampton Court. Why, then, do we not see more old Vines in the country 
than are to be met with ? I believe that the reason is, that the Vine has been 
very often killed by too much pampering, too much mistaken kindness; some¬ 
thing in the same way that many men* and women spoil and ruin their children 
by too much indulgence and mistaken kindness in their youth, and are after¬ 
wards surprised to find them turn out anything but paragons of virtue. Yet 
such people will say their children’s bad conduct is not their fault, that they 
used them most kindly and indulgently—alas ! good people, you have, too kindly 
and indulgently. Too much coddling, too much pampering, and too much 
mistaken kindness have ruined many Vines. A Vine-border from 3 to 4 feet 
deep made of turf from an old pasture on a sandy soil, when this description 
of soil^ can be had, with a moderate portion of good stable manure, crushed 
bones, and charcoal, will produce Grapes of the highest excellence for a great 
number of years, provided proper attention is paid to giving plenty of heat 
and an abundance of air at all times when it can safely be given. 
Stourton. M. Saul. 
