IST!).] 
VINES AND VIXE-CrLTriiE-CHAP. XV. 
Abated hordfirs are so railed ihroiiffh having 
O C3 
a series of drain-tiles or pipes, cominunirating 
with the outer air, placed underneath the soil 
amongst the drainage material. These serve, to 
some extent, to warm the border, and to sweeten 
and purifv the materials of which it is com¬ 
posed. There can be little doubt that con¬ 
siderable benefit is derived by the adoption of 
some means of this sort, in low-lying situations. 
It is, in fact, but an elaborate system of drain¬ 
age, excellent in theory, and efficient when well 
carried out, but often failing in action, and for 
general purposes not requisite. 
Coaerimj .—It has long been customary, and 
so has come to be considered necessary, that 
vine-borders should be at all times covered 
able, which should be renewed from time to 
time as required, until the grapes begin to 
colour. This dressing or mulching of manure 
induces the emission of numerous surface-roots, 
and in poor soils is the chief mode of supplving 
sustenance to the Vines. 
Watering .—A great deal depends on this, 
llore Vines are ruined through want of water, 
perhaps, than from any other cause. The 
quantity of water which Vines require in well- 
drained borders, is astonishing. They can 
scarcely receive an over-supply during the grow¬ 
ing season. Inside borders require the most 
attention in respect to watering. Before the 
Vines are started into growth, every particle of 
soil should be thoroughly saturated, and from the 
with some fermenting material. It is, however, 
not so. The beneficial effects of frost on the soil 
is -well known, and it is good practice to expose 
the soil of a vine-border to its action as much 
as possible. For early forcing, a good covering 
of dry leaves, or a continued supply of hot fer¬ 
menting manure and leaves is very necessary, 
not only to ward off cold rains, &c., but to 
keep up the temperature of the border. For 
late and general purposes, the border is better 
exposed to the full and free action of the 
weather. 
Mnldung .—This is very necessary, not oidy 
as a means of enrichment for the roots of the 
\ ine, but for the prevention of evaporation, 
whereby a greater and more constant degree of 
humidity is maintained. Therefore, as soon as 
the Vines get into full leaf, apply a good dress¬ 
ing of several inches of the best manure attain- 
time they come into leaf until the ripening of 
the fruit, a weekly supply of tepid manure- 
water should be given. Outside as well as in¬ 
side borders should receive constant attention 
as to watering during the summer, but no 
special rules as to time or quantity can be 
given, so much depending upon the nature of 
the soil used, its composition and drainage. 
When the fruit begins to ripen, a somewhat 
drier condition should be maintained, but it is 
not advisable to allow them to become very 
dry, even then. 
Itenovating Old or Exhausted Borders .— 
Old and apparently worn-out Vines are some¬ 
times restored to comparative vigour by the re¬ 
moval of the effete soil, and the supply of fresh 
material for the roots. It is often advisable to 
do this. The total renewal of a vinery—vines, 
border, and all—is not at all times expedient. 
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