The reader should understand that there is a vast difference between heaping masses of such decomposing materials as are commonly recommended for use in vine borders, and the applications of the same, or similar manures, in lighter doses to the soils of the open ground: for in the latter case the soil is regularly worked, and the direct action of the air is upon it, and through it. But a vine border, which perhaps is four feet deep, and filled up with a mass of decomposing materials, becomes, in the course of two years, a solid mass of greasy, sour matter, in which the living roots of any robust plant would soon die. We have previously explained the reason why vines planted in such material escape death, and this is, if strong, healthy vines are planted at the commencement, the roots run along in straight lines, as directed when planted, and being under the influence of the atmosphere, they travel fast, and consequently are very soon into ground on the outside of the border. In such cases as this, and there are hundreds of them, the roots escape the evil consequences of such decomposing matter.

On the other hand, where poor rootless plants have been used, the roots of such will be found in a dying condition down at the bottom of the border, and under the costly mass of greasy acids which has been compounded by the direction of kind ignorance.

In our last article we promised to proportion the materials of which we form vine borders. In the first place, the reader need not trouble himself in looking for his memorandum book, to take down the names of the several compounds which we make use of; but the quantity of each used it will be, perhaps, worth while to make a note of. Another thing is, what we are about to divulge, is a very great and highly important secret, and therefore the reader, if he makes his vine border of our "highly concentrated," and "double distilled," he must take care that upon no conditions whatever does he mention the secret of our materials to hie neighbor. We are almost afraid, however, to tell, because of the vast expense incurred in the concentration of such valuable and highly important elements of food, "discovered recently" to be of the utmost importance in the "fruit formation" of the plant; we are very much afraid the "will-it-pays" will have very serious scruples about using of it But if these individuals can be really assured, that these new and important discoveries have led to the combinations of such ingredients in the vast compound of border making, as shall add very materially to the size, color, flavor, and general superiority of fruit altogether, they may perhaps be induced to try our new and very valuable compost.

We will vouch our word and honor for the whole and every particle of it, if you will only try it. Now then, reader, you shall have it: Sand, Loam, and Muck. The proportions? one-third sand, one-third sandy loam, and one-third of muck. Now we hope you will not be frightened at the expense of these materials; and if you wish to see and know what these materials look like combined together previous to using them, just get the proportions together on a table, in a small quantity, and mix them well together; and if you are any judge of the mechanical texture and consistency of soils, you will admit that this compound will never become a body of humus, created by the aid of an excess of nitrogenous or carbonaceous matter. In the first place, this border will never become solid. Air and water pass freely through it. It never becomes saturated with water, nor entirely destitute of moisture. It causes the vine to form a host of small fibrous roots in the place of long coarse ones resembling ropes, with their mouths any where but inside the border. The roots are healthy and innumerable; fine and beautiful in their texture. The roots formed during the growing season do not die during the winter. but ripen in the fall of the year, as do the wood of the vines inside the bouse.

The wood produced by vines grown in this compost is remarkably short jointed. and round, with the fruit buds well developed. The fruit itself is more sugary, and the vines scarcely ever seem disposed to mildew. The stems of the leaves are remarkably short but strong and thick, and the foliage generally of a very dark green, with marked substance of texture. The fruit is solid, and entirely devoid of that aqueous sweetness so often found in grapes grown in borders of a reverse order. The fruit hangs well and long after becoming ripe. The parts of fructification are stronger, and better developed, causing the White Muscat of Alexandria to set its fruit very well without the aid of fire heat. "Shank," which is a disease that often takes a goodly portion of a crop, we have never known to appear, as a result originating from diseased roots. This disease, however, can be inducted into the systems of the most healthy of vines by over cropping, and consequently "shank" from this cause has no connection whatever with border making.

I have now given the reader the materials of which we compose our vine borders. Some who wish to grow grapes, may not have the "muck" spoken of, and in such case substitute "leaf mould," and if this latter can not be had, get the wanting proportion in the form of moderately fine charcoal; and if no other material can be conveniently got but the sand and loam, use them alone; but do not use equal proportions; put three parts sand and one of loam. There must be sand enough in the border to cause the food and air to pass down through it This mechanical condition of the border, it will be observed, is its drainage, and this drainage is the means by which the food of the vine is carried down through every particle of compost to the absorbing small fibrous roots.

(to be continued).