The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-08-14 00:00:00

GRAPE VINES IN PAVED YARDS,

The most satisfactory examples of out-door vino
culture that I am acquainted with shall here be
noted. In one case a Black Hamburg vine, with its
roots growing beneath a stable-yard paved with
boulders, and the branches trained to the wall with a
south aspect. On this particular vine I have both
seen and tasted very gcod samples. The other in-
stance is in another direction, and nearly every year I
go some distance out of my way to see this vine. It
is a Royal Muscadine, occupying the whole south
front of ,a good-sized farmhouse. Close to the house
In a narrow border about a foot wide, in which the

, vines were planted. Then there is a Wide walk, pro-
ably more than six feet in width, which is paved in
ome places with bricks and in others with rough
tones, and beyond this space a rough.pieee of ground
evoted to vegetables and a few flowers. As regards
he conditions for the roots, I do not think anything
ould look more unsuitable; but then one cannot tell
ow far they have travelled in search of food. But
This I do know, that good crops are obtained at least
llree seasons out, of four. But then the growth is
well
attended to. They are pruned on the spur
fsydem, the old rods beieg atiout tihirty inches apart,
lso that when the'yeunA growtia is nailed in the branches
are not unduly crowded. In neither of these cases do
:the roots get any attentioa. In the ease of the Black
IHamburg vine the whole of the yard is paved over,
yet the roots are never assisted with water; the
natural rainfall is all they get. I do not refer to
;these cases for the purpose of making it appear that a
Ipaved or covered surface for the roots is a necessity;
.I do so because I am aware that many have large un-
covered walls which they would be glad to see clothed
with plants of some kind, but they hesitate to plant
because there does not appear to be a suitable soil for
;the roots. Bat as I have shown, elaborate prepara-
-1 tion for the roots is not always necessary. Not that
i I wish it to be understood that I advocate no prepa-
ration at all • on the contrary, I say by all means
! prepare a good border for the roots when it is pO5-
1 sible to do so, because by so doing the chances of suc-
cess will be increased. The best way to do it is to
get rid of all the old soil and replace it with good
loam. A border two feet deep and eight feet wide
, will serve for all ordinary cases. As regards drain-
age, none of that will be required unless the situation
should be very low. Where it is not convenient to
make a new border altogether I should advise that a
good-sized space fos the roots be stirred up at least
, eighteen inches deep, and some manure mixed with
the staple, for ic is desirable to give the roots a good
I start.— The Gardeners' Magazine.
1

A WELsu poet has written some verses on the
Nicolini Patti wedding. Here is an extract: "Lien-
wet wynwes hen gwoniawe a cherddorol dan." These
be hard words, but they may be deserved, considering
the way Patti and Nicolini have been carrying on"
for some years. Patti is " no chicken," but it 1B rather
ungallant to call her a " wynwes hen."