APRIL. 99 
strongly inclined to become compact and firm. I understand the Vine 
borders were made of the original soil found on the spot, or taken from 
the park adjoining; and, looking at them, I concluded the soil had now 
become nearly in a normal condition again as to porosity. I need 
scarcely allude to the Vines at Cumberland Lodge, or Hampton Court, 
as affording evidence of the way Vines are able to take care of themselves, 
when allowed to do so their own way, as their history is well known 
to gardeners., But I may be answered that these are exceptional cases, 
and that these magnificent Vines owe their luxuriance to the highly 
congenial nature of the soil. This may, no doubt, be true ; but does it 
not afford a proof that the modern system of border-making has but 
little in common with the best natural soils for Grapes, for I venture to 
say there are very few gardeners indeed who would not object to placing 
Vines, in the first place, under such conditions as those in which these 
two Vines are growing. 
The same day that I visited Windsor I also called at Dropmore, to 
look at the fine trees with which that delightful place abounds. In 
passing through the conservatory I noticed very fine bunches of Grapes 
overhead ; and on looking for the border, when outside, I found a wide 
gravel walk running close by the front of the house, and if any prepa¬ 
ration had been made for the reception of the Vine when planted, it must 
have long since become hard and compact, from the constant passing over 
the walk ; but the roots have, doubtless, long since travelled beyond the 
width of the walk, and are sharing with the plants of the flower-garden, 
which adjoins, the good things the soil provides for them, and any extra 
assistance the flower-beds may get. 
I could quote a number of other instances where Vine and other 
fruit-trees have been growing and producing fruit for years under 
circumstances directly the reverse of what is now so generally recom¬ 
mended, but I fear my claim on your space would be too great for you 
to grant me permission. I will therefore conclude with inserting a 
quotation from the last edition of the Fruit Catalogue of Mr. Rivers, of 
Sawbridgeworth, which has materially helped to strengthen my own 
convictions :—“ In our southern counties, where light sandy soils 
abound, the difficulty of making Peach and Nectarine trees trained to 
walls flourish, is well known ; in spring they are liable to the curl and 
the attacks of aphides, in summer they are infested with the red spider, 
so that the trees are weakened and rarely give good fruit; they seem, 
indeed, to detest light soils. The following method of preparing borders 
for them in such soils may be as' old as the hills,’ but I have not seen 
it described by any gardening author. The idea has come to me, from 
observing Peach-trees trained to walls refuse to do well in the light 
sandy soil, forming part of my nursery, except near paths, and to grow 
and do well for years in the stiff tenacious loam forming another part: 
my bearing trees in pots, for which I use tenacious loam and dung 
rammed down with a wooden pestle, also bear and flourish almost 
beyond belief; and so I am induced to recommend that in light soils 
the Peach border should be made as follows. To a wall of moderate 
height, say 9 or 10 feet, a border 6 feet wide should be marked out; 
and to a wall 12 feet high, a border 8 feet jvide should be marked out. 
h 2 
