187.1] VINES AND VINE-CULTURE. — CHAPTER 11. lOl 



also on account of the groat amount of estravasated sap wliicli would continue 

 to flow for days, so that no union could take place. The period which I havs 

 found to be the safest and most successful, is just after the first flood of sap ia 

 past and before it begins to get dried up. This is about the time when the few 

 first leaves are fully expanded and the grapes are in flower, but is dependent 

 greatly on the vigour of the plant, as a very vigorous plant will have the sap 

 continuing to flow in full tide much longer than a weaker one. A very good test 

 for ascertaining the exact period I have found to be this : — Take the point of a 

 knife, and just prick through the bark ; if a little moisture exudes, the stock is 

 in condition for the graft ; if there is none, it is too late to attempt it ; 

 but should it happen that there is a great flow, continuing for some days, do 

 not attempt to graft so as to cut the stock any more, until this flow has somewhat 

 subsided. This pricking will not under any circumstances from the smallness of 

 the incision do any harm to the plant, but injury would assuredly result were 

 the cut to be enlarged as would be required in grafting ; while from the 

 amount of bleeding and the presence of estravasated sap the union could not, 

 under such circumstances, take place. 



The stock then being found in condition, it is equally necessary to have the 

 grafts so likewise— they of course should also have been properly cared for. To 

 have the cuttings or scions in proper condition is a most important point in all 

 propagation, and inattention to this is very frequently the cause of failures 

 amongst the inexperienced. In the case of Vines which have to be pruned in 

 winter, the grafts should at that time be selected, and laid in, in soil, behind a 

 north wall, or where they may be shaded from the sun. In a situation 

 like this the eyes will keep fresh until midsummer, and can be used at 

 any time when required. A day or two before they are likely to be re- 

 quired, they should be examined ; if late in spring, and the buds are slightly 

 on the move, they are in proper condition ; if they have not yet commenced 

 to move, place them in heat, so as to have the buds just a little excited, and 

 in such a state that, when cut through, the scion may appear to be a little moist 

 over the cut surface. 



The stock and scion being thus in condition, with the sap flowing to some 

 extent in both, the operation may be performed in the manner shown by fig. 5. 

 Cut do^vn the stalk to any point required, selecting, of course, some suitable part 

 for fitting on the scion — not always easily to be found on old Vine stems. 

 Wherever it may be determined to aflSx the scion, it is necessary to leave a 

 groY?ing shoot and some leaves on the stalk above this point, for the purpose of 

 drawing off the superabundant sap which will have to be disposed of, and like- 

 wise for drawing up nourishment to the scion itself until a union is formed. 

 Vines, it may be remarked, have their buds wide apart, and this is frequently 

 overlooked in dealing with them. In a pruned Vine, there is no vitality in the 

 six inches of wood that may be left beyond a bud ; the vitality ceases at the bud, 

 so that were a graft to bo put on with no bud beyond it or above it, it could not 



