THE HARDENING WORLD 
8 21 
("Holier 15, 1904. 
The Tweed Vineyards, Clovenfords. 
About the middle of September last we had the pleasure of 
being conducted through the famous vineries of Messrs.. Wil¬ 
liam Thomson and Sons, Limited, Clovenfords, Galashiels', 
N.B., which we are accustomed to regard asi the pioneer estab¬ 
lishment in the cultivation of Grapes for market. In proof of 
our contention, it may bo sufficient to remind our readers that 
the late Mr. William Thomson, on leaving Dalkeith Palaeei 
Gardens 1 , commenced building somei large vineries for the cul¬ 
tivation of Grapes in, 1869. Noi doubt in those days it would 
have been, considered a great and risky undertaking by any¬ 
one less confident of his, ability than Mr. Thomson. 
The situation, which he selected for the building of vineries 
was in itself remarkable in many ways, and to a southern 
grower, wei imagine, would be deemed the last place to select 
for the planting and cultivation of Grapes for market. We 
give an illustration of an outside view of the main ranges of 
vineries', which does not include the big vineries first con- 
years ago. This house is 300 ft. long, and the huge bunches 
of berries were just commencing to colour on the occasion of 
our visit. These, we were informed, would be ripe in Novem¬ 
ber. The house contained an immense crop, and some of the 
Vines we noted had asi many as seven, rods. When any par¬ 
ticular rod ceases to give satisfaction, another young one which 
has been trained up in the meantime from the base is ready 
t'O take its place. The house was originally planted with Lady 
Downes, and Gros Colman, has since been grafted upon it. We 
may here state that Gros Colman has for some years been the 
popular market variety at the Tweed Vineyards. The bunches 
average 11 lb. to 2 lb., which is a very convenient size for 
market purposes, and there were sixteen»bunehe® to the rod. 
While commenting upon this old house, we may give our 
readers some idea of the method of treatment by which the old 
Vines have been kept in such vigorous condition, for thirty-four 
years. Before commencing to start the Vines the workmen 
are set to take out 6 in. of soil and put in fresh compost, to 
View of the Tweed Vineyard, Clovenfords. 
structed, as they stand above the high road a little way. This 
view of the. situation will show the nature of the surrounding 
country, which, when covered with snow, must offer a, forbid- 
dino- aspect to those who have never lived in billy situationsi 
and been accustomed to all the rigours of a. Scotch winter. 
As will be seen, several hills and ridges come into view, in¬ 
cluding the round-topped hill or crags in the middle of the 
picture. , , . . 
This situation is also, Clovenfords, and must have taken its 
name from the' nature of the dividing valleys abutting upon 
the classic Tweed at. this spot. When covered with snow in. 
winter and the snow is dry, the least breeze; of wind serves to 
drive it. down the smooth hill sides until all the hollows m the 
more sheltered situations are filled up. Only in. very severe 
winters, however are the inhabitants' of this romantic spot put 
to any inconvenience. Some of the houses forming the little 
village can just be seen over the top. of the vineries. The trees 
behind these again hide the road, which descends until the 
Tweed is crossed by the bridge. , 
We first entered the big vinery which was built m 18b.), and 
where the young Vines' commenced bearing just thirty-four 
which is added a good dressing of Thomson’s Vine manure. 
The surface dressing given at this time would consist of 2 lb. 
to the square yard. After the Grapes are thinned, another 
top dressing of Thomson's Vine manure is given at the rate 
of 1 lb. per square yard. When the roots of the 1 ines are 
near the surface the manure is mixed with a little good soil 
arid simply spread over the surface. If the roots are some 
little distance from the surface, it is safe to sprinkle the 
manure on the surface and then to fork it in Unfitly. It is 
most likely that, the old soil of the border is rather dry pre¬ 
vious to starting, and when such is the case a, good watering 
is given and time allowed for the superfluous water to drain 
away before the top dressing is put on. The border must also 
be quite moist before the' second top dressing is given, so that 
after the dressing is put on, another watering sorves to wash 
down the valuable constituents of the manure to the roots, 
which by this time are in, full activity and ready to avail them¬ 
selves of the food whenever it becomes soluble and available. 
We give an illustration of the interior of one of the big 
vineries in order to show the relative width and height of the 
same, together with the hot-water piping necessary to main- 
