Until the publication of Mr Thomson's Treatise on the Vine, it was a common opinion that the richer the border, the more certain were the Vines to produce fine Grapes. I suspect the desire to excel in the production of large bunches must have been the chief reason why this theory became so general, there being nothing in the character of the Vine itself to warrant the supposition that it specially delights in a very rich soil.

I am at a loss to understand why large bunches are so much sought after. No doubt they are by many considered an evidence of superior cultural skill. But I question if this opinion be quite correct. Medium-sized, large-berried, well-finished bunches are, in my opinion, better indications that the Vines are receiving, at top and bottom, treatment in accordance with their natural requirements. And their chances of longevity and fruitfulness are more certain than when they produce bunches of enormous proportions. The fact is, when by any process we force the smaller and most useful varieties of Grape-Vines to produce enormous bunches, we are pushing their vital energies beyond the limits assigned to them by nature; and as nature demands implicit obedience to her laws, nothing but undesirable results can follow the infringement of them.

The effect of high feeding is the same in plants and animals. In both it produces unnatural and premature development; and neither can live long and remain healthy under a continued course of stimulating food.

That the Vine requires generous treatment we all know, but it does not follow as a consequence that it has a special liking for the excrement of animals or the offal from the slaughter-house. Yet it is beyond dispute that some years since - and I fear the practice is not quite abolished - garbage and the most stimulating manures that could be got hold of entered largely into the composition of Vine-borders.

But, as previously intimated, gross manures are not natural requirements of the Vine; therefore the introduction of them into the border is a mistake, leading to the production of strong spongy wood, difficult under any circumstance to ripen; and in wet localities, where during the autumn months clouds and mists prevail, it is next to impossible to impart to it that ripened character so essential to the production of good Grapes.

But suppose that by a liberal application of fire-heat we succeed in ripening such strong growths, will the crop be superior in any respect to that which wood of moderate thickness will produce? So far as my experience goes, the contrary is the rule, as the following will show: - Some eight years ago I planted in pots six Black Hamburg Vines, with the intention of fruiting them the year following. I had a certain reason for wishing them to produce fine Grapes. I therefore grew the canes extra strong, and ripened them to my satisfaction; but I was thoroughly disappointed with the crop, in so far as large compact bunches were concerned. Of the twenty-four bunches which the six Vines were permitted to ripen, not one of them was fit to point to as an example of what, in point of shape, a fine bunch of Grapes should be.

I therefore came to the conclusion that overstrong growth does not produce well-shaped, large-berried bunches. However, I may be wrong. What say some of our first-class Grape-growers? But to return to the subject in hand. If means are taken to confine the roots within the limits of an over-rich border, strong growth is maintained so long as the organic portions of the compound are decomposing; and when large proportions of rank manures are used, it requires but a few years to reduce the organic parts of the composition to a pulpy mass, in which the roots of Vines, or any fruit-tree, cannot exist in a healthy condition.

Then if precautions are not taken to keep the roots within the limits of the border, they quickly extend into the materials in front of it, which generally are of a much poorer character, and unable to afford the over-fed Vines their usual supply of stimulants; consequently this sudden diminution of food causes exhaustion in the whole system of the Vines, thereby making them an easy prey to any of the various diseases or enemies to which they are subject.

It is therefore plain that over-rich borders are a mistake, whether the roots are confined to the border or allowed to ramble at will. In either case strong growth and "famous crops" are of but a few years' duration, scanty crops and shanked bunches the inevitable results. That the system of border-making recommended by Mr Thomson in the February number of the 'Gardener' would prevent the evils complained of, there is no reason to doubt. But so long as the craze for sensational crops exists, means will be taken to produce them, let the after-fate of the Vines be what it will. It is therefore, in my opinion, most desirable that we should hear less of monstrous bunches.

J. H.