164 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



expanding roots from the effect of protracted drought, long cuttings are 

 indispensable, unless the condition as to the supply of moisture and shel- 

 ter from the deeply penetrating heat are otherwise fully afforded ; even 

 should a shallow planting bo preferred, a long cutting, coiled up, can be 

 used, and yet furnish an extended surface for the emission of rootlets. 

 Hence, we prefer cuttings not less than eighteen to twenty-four inches 

 long. 



Yet, we have to decide whether to use (Sittings or rooted grape vines. 

 Whenever cuttings can be obtained of thrifty growth, thick, short, joint- 

 ed, well ripened wood, and of proper length, and can be planted early in 

 tbe season, they are preferable in vineyard culture, as the first set of 

 roots are undisturbed in their natural inclination to grow to their best 

 advantage, and soon overtake rooted vines. Some foreign varieties, yet 

 scarce, and of slender growth, it is preferable to transplant when rooted 

 two years in nursery. Yearling plants have but scanty roots, and those 

 get so mutilated in the process of transplanting that they are nearly 

 worthless. The lower end of each cutting should be cut smooth and ob- 

 liquely, close to a bud, and tbe jagged or bruised roots of a rooted vine 

 pared off. The lower half of either should be immersed in running water 

 in a shady place for several days before planting. 



In the selection of varieties, we should be governed by the use to be 

 made of them ; some are most desirable for the table or for raisins, as the 

 Muscat of Alexandria, Rosa of Peru, and Black Hamburg; others for 

 wine, as the Chasselas, Catawba, and Mission Grape ; and some, if fully 

 matured, answer all purposes. So far as experience goes, all the choicest 

 foreign varieties thrive here remarkably well, if anything like the condi- 

 tions governing their growth are supplied. Of those there are none that 

 surpass, in all desirable qualities, the Chasselas de Fontainbleu. 



Having succeeded in planting our vineyard, our work for the first sea- 

 son will consist in keeping down the weeds by the use of a plough and 

 hoe, and should the soil not be sufficiently moist to keep up a thrifty 

 growth, a few gallons of water to each vine, applied so as to reach the 

 roots, will insure a vigorous growth and repay the expense many times. 

 Should the growth be so luxuriant as to cause the canes to drop over, it 

 is necessary to top them enough to insure an upright growth. 



The second year, the previous year's growth is pruned to two buds, and 

 after the first ploughing is performed and the vines staked, there is less 

 danger of accidents by breakage, the straightest and stoutest shoot is 

 selected as leader, and when grown sufficiently, tied up securely with 

 strips of cloth, the other is cut off, as are all the suckers which may sprout 

 up. When the leader grows to twelve by fifteen inches, the tip should be 

 pinched off, and the operation repeated when necessary to insure an up- 

 right growth. The laterals, this year, are permitted to grow unchecked. 



in the subsequent cultivation of the ground it Avill he well to attend 

 strictly to the general rule never to plough or work the ground when 

 it is wet; to keep the soil well pulverized and free from weeds, and never 

 to cultivate other crops between. 



In proportion to the care with which the operations of staking, sucker- 

 ing, and summer pruning is attended during the first, second, and third 

 year's growth of our vineyard, will be our reward in the beautiful sym- 

 metry of the vines, their thrifty growth, and abundant fruits. 



At this stage we have to decide the future shape of our vine, as by it 

 the future pruning is governed. All our observations favor the opinion 

 that in this climate grape vines should be trained low, after the renewal 

 spur mode of pruning, on account of econonry, which is not the least 



