Page:The family kitchen gardener - containing plain and accurate descriptions of all the different species and varieties of culinary vegetables (IA familykitchengar56buis).pdf/193

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that the sashes of the frames are six feet long, and those of the pit are seven feet, these, according to Fig. 25, will cover a Grapery nine feet high at the back, ten feet wide, and seven feet high in front, allowing two feet for a low front wall, or plank. This Grapery may be of any length, and can be placed against any wall, building, or good permanent fence, at very little cost; and from it heavy crops of Grapes may be obtained every year. In the Winter season, the vines are to be laid down, after being pruned, in any convenient position, and protected by hay, straw, or boards. In April the vines can be tied up, and the sashes put on them whenever they can be spared from the frames and pits. For the admission of air, a portion of the sash can be moveable and fixed with springs, or hooks and staples.

Soil.—There is very little difference of opinion in regard to the nature of the soil genial to the growth and maturity of the Grape. All agree that it should be light and porous, on a dry bottom. The great Grape-growing countries are of that nature, and the vineyards are all planted on rising ground or declivities. The various modes of accomplishing this, is frequently very ludicrous. A great pit is prepared, three to four feet deep, filled with one or two feet of stones, bricks, and other rough material, over which is put a mixture of offal, bones, lime, and other rich manures, with a small portion of good, virgin earth. In such receptacles the roots very soon rot, the vines become weak, and finally, after a few years of meagre existence, they die—as might have been expected. If we could make a choice of locality, or even no choice, the most appropriate place on level ground would be, to plant the vines or the surface, or, in other words, make the vine border above