138 ViriS I.ABKUSCA. 



rows, and the hok'lit to wliidi the vines should l)e trained, they may run in 

 a luauner tliat will allmv tlu'iu to lace any point cit' the hori/ou Netween south 

 and i-asi : and tlit-y may !)' .suj)|)(rli'd on j)ro|)s, ov trellises, lictm six to ten feet in 

 lieight, and even more, according to tiie vig(Mir o|" the vines. Jhit in cities, and 

 ahout houses in the country, sintrle vines may he trained on tlu; sides and ends 

 of huil(liu-:s, alouiz the sides of fences, or on tlie trunks and iiranches of trees. 



'I'he most favourahle season for ))lanting tlie Isahella iiraj)e-vine in the United 

 States, is wlien tlie red-flowered maple is in hloom, which usually occurs in 

 Georizia from the 2()th to the last of Fehruary, and five or six weeks later near 

 Philadelphia and New York. In selectiui,' the cuttiui^s for a vineyard, ihcy 

 should he of one variety, and taken from the most fruilfid part of the vine. Let 

 ns not content ourselves with single clusters, but those which are the most pro- 

 lilic. The greatest proportion of fruit grows from the buds on the last year's 

 slioots next to the old wood, with the exception of the nearest eye, the top buds 

 being unfruitful and seldom bearing at all. Some prefer to plant cuttings con- 

 taining a considerable portion of the old wood ; but, as it is not always prudent 

 nor economical to mutilate a favourite vine too mnch, it is best to select fruitful 

 cuttings of the last years growth, with the wood well rijjcned. They should be 

 of a moderate size, short-jointed, and containing from six to eight eyes or buds 

 in each. They should be cut off, transversely from the vine, with a sharp knife, 

 close to the old wood, and not less than two inches of blank wood should be left 

 for the protection of the terminal buds. The ends of the cuttings that are to 

 remain above the groimd should be cut in an oblique direction, and the sloping 

 side should be opposite the side containing the uppermost bud. If possible, they 

 should be planted in calm weather, immediately after separation from the parent 

 vine, and be obtained from a soil, situation, and climate, similar to those' in 

 which they are intended to grow ; but if any diflerence in these respects should 

 unavoidably occur, it will be better to transplant from a poorer to a richer, and 

 from a dryer to moister soil, as also from a colder to a warmer climate. But 

 should it be necessary to convey the cuttings from a distance, their lower ends 

 should be immersed in a composition of fine earth, well mixed with linseed or 

 other oil, of about the consistence of tar, as soon as they are cut off from the 

 parent stock, at the same time, taking the precaution not to cut off the top ends 

 till the moment they are to be used. 



MANAGEMENT DURING THE FIRST YEAR. 







The ground having been prepared in the manner above described, the cuttings 

 are next to be planted in the centres of the trenches, so that each terminal bud 

 will be even with the surface, and directed towards the south. Then the earth 

 must be firmly pressed round each plant, and should it subsequently settle and 

 leave more than one bud above the ground, more earth or mould must be added 

 to bury them up. 



As soon as the season becomes hot and dry, it will be necessary to protect 

 the cuttings from the mid-day sun, by means of matting or other materials, 

 which should be removed towards evening, and allow them to remain uncov- 

 ered until the next morning, at about the time of the disappearance of the 

 dew. Strict attention must now be observed in keeping the soil around the cut- 

 tings continually moist, and should not this be effected by natural means, it 

 must be done by sprinkling rain or river water over them, or what is still better, 

 soap-suds, or other stimulating fluids, specially prepared for the purpose, but not 

 too strong. Soon after the cuttings begin to take root, which may be known by 

 the swelling of the buds, above the surface, young shoots will gradually pro- 

 trude, and the plants will require but little attention during the remainder of the 



