90 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
mant state, and insert them on the vines in the wedge or cunei¬ 
form method; make the scion of one or two buds long, cut the 
lower end in the form of a wedge, set carefully in the stock, and 
tie it round with matting in the usual way, cover it all over with 
clay, excepting one of the buds; then put a little moss round 
the whole, leaving an opening for the eye; it is necessary to have 
a growing shoot left above the graft, in order to draw up the 
sap before the scion begins to grow ; when this is observed, it 
may be cut away in order to assist the union; the moss should 
be kept always moist. Grafts put on in this method seldom 
fail, and I have seen them produce the same season, two bunches 
of excellent fruit* 
Preparation of the Border. — There is a great variety 
of opinions among gardeners concerning the soil of which a vine 
border should be composed ; but all agree that it should be well 
drained, and be made perfectly dry at the bottom : to secure 
this, proceed as follows : — dig out the soil to the depth of four 
feet, and not less than thirty feet wide, with a fall towards the 
front, of three inches in every foot; put about three inches of 
stone or brick rubbish in the bottom, and over this a coating of 
cement or pavement, either of which will answer the purpose very 
well: on this drain tiles must be laid, in lines three feet apart, 
leading to a main drain in front; between and over these, stone 
or brick rubbish may then be laid, covering the tiles about three 
inches ; cover the whole with turf, laying the grassy side down¬ 
wards, to prevent the soil from mixing with and stopping the 
drainage. The soil may be composed of the following mate¬ 
rials ; — one half strong loam taken from an old pasture, one 
fourth rotten dung, and one fourth street or road sweepings; 
mix and chop them well together, and having done so, proceed 
at once, while the turf is fresh, to make the border : at the same 
time introduce some blocks of freestone, which will serve a 
two-fold purpose, viz. assisting the surface water to pass off 
freely, and supplying the roots with moisture in a dry season : 
fill it a few inches above the intended height, leaving the sur¬ 
face parallel with the bottom. Autumn, or early winter, is the 
best time for doing so, in order that it may have time to subside 
to the proper level before the planting. 
Planting. — There are various opinions concerning the time 
for planting ; one says March, another May ; but either of those 
times will answer, provided it is properly done. I would prefer 
