10 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



The manner in which inarching is performed is very simple, and 

 failures are next to impossible. About a month before the vines 

 start into growth, whether forced or not, is the best time for per- 

 forming the operation. First of all, determine upon where the scion 

 is to be put, bring the two vines together and form a secure resting- 

 place for the pot in which the young one is growing, then shave off 

 a small strip of bark from the stock and a similar piece from the 

 scion, join the two wounds together, and fasten them securely by 

 means of strong yet soft matting, bound round firmly. To keep out 

 the air and prevent the wounds drying, put a moderate quantity of 

 grafting clay over the bandage, and finish it off" by fixing a little moss 

 over the clay to prevent its cracking and falling oif. The best 

 position for inarching the young vine on the stock is near the 

 bottom of the rafter, and some means must be adopted to elevate 

 the pot in which the latter is growing to the desired height. The 

 young vine must be cut back to where the wood is thoroughly 

 hardened, and about two buds allowed above the junction. 



As the old vine commences to make new growth, the young 

 shoots towards the bottom must be gradually rubbed off, but the 

 shoots towards the top must be allowed to remain, and a few bunches 

 of grapes left on if desirable. If, however, the young vine is 

 attached to wood of the previous year, the latter should be pruned 

 previously to about four buds above the intended junction, and the 

 young growth proceeding therefrom constantly stopped during the 

 summer to prevent its robbing the young vine. The junction will 

 not be effected so quickly when the young vine is joined to an old 

 rod, but it is very objectionable to attach it to young wood pro- 

 ceeding from an ugly spur, such as we usually meet with on old 

 vines. The union will be effected in about six weeks after the 

 vines begin to make 'new growth, and as the wood will swell very 

 rapidly, the bandage must be loosened occasionally to prevent its 

 arresting the regular flow of the sap. Considerable care is requisite 

 in doing this, as they soon separate if handled in a careless manner. 

 The best means of preventing a mishap is to put a piece of matting- 

 round them just below and above the wound, independently of that 

 which is employed for holding them together, and if all are not 

 unloosened at the same time, it will be almost impossible for an 

 accident to occur. The young vine can be cut off just below the 

 union, and the pot removed as soon as they grow together, or it can 

 remain until the winter pruning. Some time after the vines are at 

 rest, cut the old rod back close to the young one, and prune the 

 latter to half its length, or to within two or three buds of it ; leave 

 according to its strength, and whether the wood is well or badly 

 ripened, it should in fact be pruned and otherwise managed in 

 exactly the same manner as a young vine on its own roots. 



To increase vines by cuttings, select stout well-ripened shoots of 

 about six inches in length, remove all but the two top eyes and 

 insert them at the foot of a warm sunny wall. If inserted soon 

 after the commencement of the new year few will fail, and if properly 

 attended to during the summer they will make strong canes by the 

 end of the season. Only one shoot should be allowed to remain to 



